Маленькая принцесса

           andSarasawherandwassosorryforherthatshebeganrathertolikeherandwanttobeherfriend.Itwasawayofhersalwaystowanttospringintoanyfrayinwhichsomeonewasmadeuncomfortableorunhappy.

           "IfSarahadbeenaboyandlivedafewcenturiesago,"herfatherusedtosay,"shewouldhavegoneaboutthecountrywithhersworddrawn,rescuinganddefendingeveryoneindistress.Shealwayswantstofightwhensheseespeopleintrouble."

           Soshetookratherafancytofat,slow,littleMissSt.John,andkeptglancingtowardherthroughthemorning.Shesawthatlessonswerenoeasymattertoher,andthattherewasnodangerofhereverbeingspoiledbybeingtreatedasashowpupil.HerFrenchlessonwasapatheticthing.HerpronunciationmadeevenMonsieurDufargesmileinspiteofhimself,andLaviniaandJessieandthemorefortunategirlseithergiggledorlookedatherinwonderingdisdain.ButSaradidnotlaugh.ShetriedtolookasifshedidnothearwhenMissSt.Johncalled"lebonpain,""leebongpang."Shehadafine,hotlittletemperofherown,anditmadeherfeelrathersavagewhensheheardthetittersandsawthepoor,stupid,distressedchild’sface.

           "Itisn’tfunny,really,"shesaidbetweenherteeth,asshebentoverherbook."Theyoughtnottolaugh."

           Whenlessonswereoverandthepupilsgatheredtogetheringroupstotalk,SaralookedforMissSt.John,andfindingherbundledratherdisconsolatelyinawindow-seat,shewalkedovertoherandspoke.Sheonlysaidthekindofthinglittlegirlsalwayssaytoeachotherbywayofbeginninganacquaintance,buttherewassomethingfriendlyaboutSara,andpeoplealwaysfeltit.

           "Whatisyourname?"shesaid.