Маленькая принцесса
The Magic
Asthethingsweretakenoutofthehamper—thefrostedcakes—thefruits—thebonbonsandthewine—thefeastbecameasplendidthing.
"It’slikearealparty!"criedErmengarde.
"It’slikeaqueen’stable,"sighedBecky.
ThenErmengardehadasuddenbrilliantthought.
"I’lltellyouwhat,Sara,"shesaid."Pretendyouareaprincessnowandthisisaroyalfeast."
"Butit’syourfeast,"saidSara;"youmustbetheprincess,andwewillbeyourmaidsofhonor."
"Oh,Ican’t,"saidErmengarde."I’mtoofat,andIdon’tknowhow.YOUbeher."
"Well,ifyouwantmeto,"saidSara.
Butsuddenlyshethoughtofsomethingelseandrantotherustygrate.
"Thereisalotofpaperandrubbishstuffedinhere!"sheexclaimed."Ifwelightit,therewillbeabrightblazeforafewminutes,andweshallfeelasifitwasarealfire."Shestruckamatchandlighteditupwithagreatspeciousglowwhichilluminatedtheroom.
"Bythetimeitstopsblazing,"Sarasaid,"weshallforgetaboutitsnotbeingreal."
Shestoodinthedancingglowandsmiled.
"Doesn’titLOOKreal?"shesaid."Nowwewillbegintheparty."
Sheledthewaytothetable.ShewavedherhandgraciouslytoErmengardeandBecky.Shewasinthemidstofherdream.
"Advance,fairdamsels,"shesaidinherhappydream-voice,"andbeseatedatthebanquettable.Mynoblefather,theking,whoisabsentonalongjourney,hascommandedmetofeastyou."Sheturnedherheadslightlytowardthecorneroftheroom.