Маленькая принцесса

           Thiswassounexpectedthatitwasastounding.Lottieactuallydroppedherlegs,gaveawriggle,andlayandstared.Anewideawillstopacryingchildwhennothingelsewill.AlsoitwastruethatwhileLottiedislikedMissMinchin,whowascross,andMissAmelia,whowasfoolishlyindulgent,sheratherlikedSara,littleassheknewher.Shedidnotwanttogiveuphergrievance,butherthoughtsweredistractedfromit,soshewriggledagain,and,afterasulkysob,said,"Whereisshe?"

           Sarapausedamoment.Becauseshehadbeentoldthathermammawasinheaven,shehadthoughtagreatdealaboutthematter,andherthoughtshadnotbeenquitelikethoseofotherpeople.

           "Shewenttoheaven,"shesaid."ButIamsureshecomesoutsometimestoseeme—thoughIdon’tseeher.Sodoesyours.Perhapstheycanbothseeusnow.Perhapstheyarebothinthisroom."

           Lottiesatboltupright,andlookedabouther.Shewasapretty,little,curly-headedcreature,andherroundeyeswerelikewetforget-me-nots.Ifhermammahadseenherduringthelasthalf-hour,shemightnothavethoughtherthekindofchildwhooughttoberelatedtoanangel.

           Sarawentontalking.Perhapssomepeoplemightthinkthatwhatshesaidwasratherlikeafairystory,butitwasallsorealtoherownimaginationthatLottiebegantolisteninspiteofherself.Shehadbeentoldthathermammahadwingsandacrown,andshehadbeenshownpicturesofladiesinbeautifulwhitenightgowns,whoweresaidtobeangels.ButSaraseemedtobetellingarealstoryaboutalovelycountrywhererealpeoplewere.

           "Therearefieldsandfieldsofflowers,"shesaid,forgettingherself,asusual,whenshebegan,andtalkingratherasifshewereinadream,"fieldsandfieldsoflilies—andwhenthesoftwindblowsoverthemitwaftsthescentofthemintotheair—andeverybodyalwaysbreathesit,becausethesoftwindisalwaysblowing.