The Diamond Mines Again

           WhenSaraenteredtheholly-hungschoolroomintheafternoon,shedidsoastheheadofasortofprocession.MissMinchin,inhergrandestsilkdress,ledherbythehand.Amanservantfollowed,carryingtheboxcontainingtheLastDoll,ahousemaidcarriedasecondbox,andBeckybroughtuptherear,carryingathirdandwearingacleanapronandanewcap.Sarawouldhavemuchpreferredtoenterintheusualway,butMissMinchinhadsentforher,and,afteraninterviewinherprivatesittingroom,hadexpressedherwishes.

           "Thisisnotanordinaryoccasion,"shesaid."Idonotdesirethatitshouldbetreatedasone."

           SoSarawasledgrandlyinandfeltshywhen,onherentry,thebiggirlsstaredatherandtouchedeachother’selbows,andthelittleonesbegantosquirmjoyouslyintheirseats.

           "Silence,youngladies!"saidMissMinchin,atthemurmurwhicharose."James,placetheboxonthetableandremovethelid.Emma,putyoursuponachair.Becky!"suddenlyandseverely.

           Beckyhadquiteforgottenherselfinherexcitement,andwasgrinningatLottie,whowaswrigglingwithrapturousexpectation.Shealmostdroppedherbox,thedisapprovingvoicesostartledher,andherfrightened,bobbingcurtsyofapologywassofunnythatLaviniaandJessietittered.

           "Itisnotyourplacetolookattheyoungladies,"saidMissMinchin."Youforgetyourself.Putyourboxdown."

           Beckyobeyedwithalarmedhasteandhastilybackedtowardthedoor.

           "Youmayleaveus,"MissMinchinannouncedtotheservantswithawaveofherhand.