Маленькая принцесса

           Shewasaslim,supplecreature,rathertallforherage,andhadanintense,attractivelittleface.Herhairwasheavyandquiteblackandonlycurledatthetips;hereyesweregreenishgray,itistrue,buttheywerebig,wonderfuleyeswithlong,blacklashes,andthoughsheherselfdidnotlikethecolorofthem,manyotherpeopledid.Stillshewasveryfirminherbeliefthatshewasanuglylittlegirl,andshewasnotatallelatedbyMissMinchin’sflattery.

           "IshouldbetellingastoryifIsaidshewasbeautiful,"shethought;"andIshouldknowIwastellingastory.IbelieveIamasuglyassheis—inmyway.Whatdidshesaythatfor?"

           AftershehadknownMissMinchinlongershelearnedwhyshehadsaidit.Shediscoveredthatshesaidthesamethingtoeachpapaandmammawhobroughtachildtoherschool.

           SarastoodnearherfatherandlistenedwhileheandMissMinchintalked.ShehadbeenbroughttotheseminarybecauseLadyMeredith’stwolittlegirlshadbeeneducatedthere,andCaptainCrewehadagreatrespectforLadyMeredith’sexperience.Sarawastobewhatwasknownas"aparlorboarder,"andshewastoenjoyevengreaterprivilegesthanparlorboardersusuallydid.Shewastohaveaprettybedroomandsittingroomofherown;shewastohaveaponyandacarriage,andamaidtotaketheplaceoftheayahwhohadbeenhernurseinIndia.

           "Iamnotintheleastanxiousabouthereducation,"CaptainCrewesaid,withhisgaylaugh,asheheldSara’shandandpattedit."Thedifficultywillbetokeepherfromlearningtoofastandtoomuch.Sheisalwayssittingwithherlittlenoseburrowingintobooks.Shedoesn’treadthem,MissMinchin;shegobblesthemupasifshewerealittlewolfinsteadofalittlegirl.