Маленькая принцесса

           Whatsoevershemeant,Ermengardewassureitwassomethingdelightfullyexciting.So,quitethrilledwithexpectation,shefollowedherontiptoealongthepassage.Theymadenottheleastnoiseuntiltheyreachedthedoor.ThenSarasuddenlyturnedthehandle,andthrewitwideopen.Itsopeningrevealedtheroomquiteneatandquiet,afiregentlyburninginthegrate,andawonderfuldollsittinginachairbyit,apparentlyreadingabook.

           "Oh,shegotbacktoherseatbeforewecouldseeher!"Saraexplained."Ofcoursetheyalwaysdo.Theyareasquickaslightning."

           Ermengardelookedfromhertothedollandbackagain.

           "Canshe—walk?"sheaskedbreathlessly.

           "Yes,"answeredSara."AtleastIbelieveshecan.AtleastIPRETENDIbelieveshecan.Andthatmakesitseemasifitweretrue.Haveyouneverpretendedthings?"

           "No,"saidErmengarde."Never.I—tellmeaboutit."

           Shewassobewitchedbythisodd,newcompanionthatsheactuallystaredatSarainsteadofatEmily—notwithstandingthatEmilywasthemostattractivedollpersonshehadeverseen.

           "Letussitdown,"saidSara,"andIwilltellyou.It’ssoeasythatwhenyoubeginyoucan’tstop.Youjustgoonandondoingitalways.Andit’sbeautiful.Emily,youmustlisten.ThisisErmengardeSt.John,Emily.Ermengarde,thisisEmily.Wouldyouliketoholdher?"

           "Oh,mayI?"saidErmengarde."MayI,really?Sheisbeautiful!"AndEmilywasputintoherarms.