Маленькая принцесса
It Is the Child!
Itwashisfriendwhotookhismoney.Hetrustedhisfriendtoomuch."
TheIndiangentleman’sbreathcamemorequickly.
"ThefriendmighthaveMEANTtodonoharm,"hesaid."Itmighthavehappenedthroughamistake."
Saradidnotknowhowunrelentingherquietyoungvoicesoundedassheanswered.Ifshehadknown,shewouldsurelyhavetriedtosoftenitfortheIndiangentleman’ssake.
"Thesufferingwasjustasbadformypapa,"shesaid."Itkilledhim."
"Whatwasyourfather’sname?"theIndiangentlemansaid."Tellme."
"HisnamewasRalphCrewe,"Saraanswered,feelingstartled."CaptainCrewe.HediedinIndia."
Thehaggardfacecontracted,andRamDasssprangtohismaster’sside.
"Carmichael,"theinvalidgasped,"itisthechild—thechild!"
ForamomentSarathoughthewasgoingtodie.RamDasspouredoutdropsfromabottle,andheldthemtohislips.Sarastoodnear,tremblingalittle.ShelookedinabewilderedwayatMr.Carmichael.
"WhatchildamI?"shefaltered.
"Hewasyourfather’sfriend,"Mr.Carmichaelansweredher."Don’tbefrightened.Wehavebeenlookingforyoufortwoyears."
Saraputherhanduptoherforehead,andhermouthtrembled.Shespokeasifshewereinadream.
"AndIwasatMissMinchin’sallthewhile,"shehalfwhispered."Justontheothersideofthewall."
