Маленькая принцесса

           "Nooneisanywhereabout,"sheexplained."Ifyourbedroomsarefinished,perhapsyoumightstayatinywhile.Ithought—perhaps—youmightlikeapieceofcake."

           ThenexttenminutesseemedtoBeckylikeasortofdelirium.Saraopenedacupboard,andgaveherathicksliceofcake.Sheseemedtorejoicewhenitwasdevouredinhungrybites.Shetalkedandaskedquestions,andlaugheduntilBecky’sfearsactuallybegantocalmthemselves,andsheonceortwicegatheredboldnessenoughtoaskaquestionorsoherself,daringasshefeltittobe.

           "Isthat—"sheventured,lookinglonginglyattherose-coloredfrock.Andsheaskeditalmostinawhisper."Isthatthereyourbest?"

           "Itisoneofmydancing-frocks,"answeredSara."Ilikeit,don’tyou?"

           ForafewsecondsBeckywasalmostspeechlesswithadmiration.Thenshesaidinanawedvoice,"OnctIseeaprincess.Iwasstandin’inthestreetwiththecrowdoutsideCovin’Garden,watchin’theswellsgointertheoperer.An’therewasoneeveryonestaredatmost.Theysestoeachother,’That’stheprincess.’Shewasagrowed-upyounglady,butshewaspinkallover—gowndan’cloak,an’flowersan’all.IcalledhertomindtheminnitIseeyou,sittin’thereonthetable,miss.Youlookedlikeher."

           "I’veoftenthought,"saidSara,inherreflectingvoice,"thatIshouldliketobeaprincess;Iwonderwhatitfeelslike.IbelieveIwillbeginpretendingIamone."

           Beckystaredatheradmiringly,and,asbefore,didnotunderstandherintheleast.Shewatchedherwithasortofadoration.VerysoonSaraleftherreflectionsandturnedtoherwithanewquestion.