Маленькая принцесса

           Butthoughshewasratherterrified,therewasadelightfulthrillinlistening,andshewasnotlikelytoforgetRobespierreagain,ortohaveanydoubtsaboutthePrincessedeLamballe.

           "Youknowtheyputherheadonapikeanddancedroundit,"Saraexplained."Andshehadbeautifulfloatingblondehair;andwhenIthinkofher,Ineverseeherheadonherbody,butalwaysonapike,withthosefuriouspeopledancingandhowling."

           ItwasagreedthatMr.St.Johnwastobetoldtheplantheyhadmade,andforthepresentthebooksweretobeleftintheattic.

           "Nowlet’stelleachotherthings,"saidSara."HowareyougettingonwithyourFrenchlessons?"

           "EversomuchbettersincethelasttimeIcameuphereandyouexplainedtheconjugations.MissMinchincouldnotunderstandwhyIdidmyexercisessowellthatfirstmorning."

           Saralaughedalittleandhuggedherknees.

           "Shedoesn’tunderstandwhyLottieisdoinghersumssowell,"shesaid;"butitisbecauseshecreepsuphere,too,andIhelpher."Sheglancedroundtheroom."Theatticwouldberathernice—ifitwasn’tsodreadful,"shesaid,laughingagain."It’sagoodplacetopretendin."

           ThetruthwasthatErmengardedidnotknowanythingofthesometimesalmostunbearablesideoflifeintheatticandshehadnotasufficientlyvividimaginationtodepictitforherself.OntherareoccasionsthatshecouldreachSara’sroomsheonlysawthesideofitwhichwasmadeexcitingbythingswhichwere"pretended"andstorieswhichweretold.