English
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.
Beckysteppedasiderespectfullytoallowthesuperiorservantstopassoutfirst.
Shecouldnothelpcastingalongingglanceattheboxonthetable.
Somethingmadeofbluesatinwaspeepingfrombetweenthefoldsoftissuepaper.
“Ifyouplease,MissMinchin,”saidSara,suddenly,“mayn’tBeckystay?”
Itwasaboldthingtodo.MissMinchinwasbetrayedintosomethinglikeaslightjump.Thensheputhereyeglassup,andgazedathershowpupildisturbedly.
“Becky!”sheexclaimed.“MydearestSara!”
Saraadvancedasteptowardher.
“IwantherbecauseIknowshewillliketoseethepresents,”sheexplained.“Sheisalittlegirl,too,youknow.”
MissMinchinwasscandalized.Sheglancedfromonefiguretotheother.
“MydearSara,”shesaid,“Beckyisthescullerymaid.Scullerymaids—er—arenotlittlegirls.”
Itreallyhadnotoccurredtohertothinkoftheminthatlight.Scullerymaidsweremachineswhocarriedcoalscuttlesandmadefires.
“ButBeckyis,”saidSara.“AndIknowshewouldenjoyherself.Pleaseletherstay—becauseitismybirthday.”
MissMinchinrepliedwithmuchdignity:
“Asyouaskitasabirthdayfavor—shemaystay.Rebecca,thankMissSaraforhergreatkindness.”
Beckyhadbeenbackingintothecorner,twistingthehemofherapronindelightedsuspense.
Shecameforward,bobbingcurtsies,butbetweenSara’seyesandherowntherepassedagleamoffriendlyunderstanding,whileherwordstumbledovereachother.
“Oh,ifyouplease,miss!I’mthatgrateful,miss!
Ididwanttoseethedoll,miss,thatIdid.Thankyou,miss.
Andthankyou,ma’am,”—turningandmakinganalarmedbobtoMissMinchin—“forlettingmetaketheliberty.”
MissMinchinwavedherhandagain—thistimeitwasinthedirectionofthecornernearthedoor.
“Goandstandthere,”shecommanded.“Nottooneartheyoungladies.”
Beckywenttoherplace,grinning.Shedidnotcarewhereshewassent,sothatshemighthavetheluckofbeinginsidetheroom,insteadofbeingdownstairsinthescullery,whilethesedelightsweregoingon.
ShedidnotevenmindwhenMissMinchinclearedherthroatominouslyandspokeagain.
“Now,youngladies,Ihaveafewwordstosaytoyou,”sheannounced.
“She’sgoingtomakeaspeech,”whisperedoneofthegirls.“Iwishitwasover.”
Sarafeltratheruncomfortable.Asthiswasherparty,itwasprobablethatthespeechwasabouther.Itisnotagreeabletostandinaschoolroomandhaveaspeechmadeaboutyou.
“Youareaware,youngladies,”thespeechbegan—foritwasaspeech—”thatdearSaraiselevenyearsoldtoday.”
“DearSara!”murmuredLavinia.
“Severalofyouherehavealsobeenelevenyearsold,butSara’sbirthdaysareratherdifferentfromotherlittlegirls’birthdays.
Whensheisoldershewillbeheiresstoalargefortune,whichitwillbeherdutytospendinameritoriousmanner.”
“Thediamondmines,”giggledJessie,inawhisper.
Saradidnothearher;butasshestoodwithhergreen-grayeyesfixedsteadilyonMissMinchin,shefeltherselfgrowingratherhot.
WhenMissMinchintalkedaboutmoney,shefeltsomehowthatshealwayshatedher—and,ofcourse,itwasdisrespectfultohategrown-uppeople.
“Whenherdearpapa,CaptainCrewe,broughtherfromIndiaandgaveherintomycare,”thespeechproceeded,“hesaidtome,inajestingway,`Iamafraidshewillbeveryrich,MissMinchin.’
Myreplywas,`Hereducationatmyseminary,CaptainCrewe,shallbesuchaswilladornthelargestfortune.’
Sarahasbecomemymostaccomplishedpupil.
HerFrenchandherdancingareacredittotheseminary.
Hermanners—whichhavecausedyoutocallherPrincessSara—areperfect.
Heramiabilitysheexhibitsbygivingyouthisafternoon’sparty.Ihopeyouappreciatehergenerosity.
Iwishyoutoexpressyourappreciationofitbysayingaloudalltogether,`Thankyou,Sara!’”
TheentireschoolroomrosetoitsfeetasithaddonethemorningSararememberedsowell.
“Thankyou,Sara!”itsaid,anditmustbeconfessedthatLottiejumpedupanddown.Saralookedrathershyforamoment.Shemadeacurtsy—anditwasaveryniceone.
“Thankyou,”shesaid,“forcomingtomyparty.”
“Verypretty,indeed,Sara,”approvedMissMinchin.
“Thatiswhatarealprincessdoeswhenthepopulaceapplaudsher.
Lavinia”—scathingly—”thesoundyoujustmadewasextremelylikeasnort.
Ifyouarejealousofyourfellow-pupil,Ibegyouwillexpressyourfeelingsinsomemorelady-likemanner.
NowIwillleaveyoutoenjoyyourselves.”
Theinstantshehadsweptoutoftheroomthespellherpresencealwayshaduponthemwasbroken.
Thedoorhadscarcelyclosedbeforeeveryseatwasempty.
Thelittlegirlsjumpedortumbledoutoftheirs;theolderoneswastednotimeindesertingtheirs.Therewasarushtowardtheboxes.
Sarahadbentoveroneofthemwithadelightedface.
“Thesearebooks,Iknow,”shesaid.
Thelittlechildrenbrokeintoaruefulmurmur,andErmengardelookedaghast.
“Doesyourpapasendyoubooksforabirthdaypresent?”sheexclaimed.“Why,he’sasbadasmine.Don’topenthem,Sara.”
“Ilikethem,”Saralaughed,butsheturnedtothebiggestbox.
WhenshetookouttheLastDollitwassomagnificentthatthechildrenuttereddelightedgroansofjoy,andactuallydrewbacktogazeatitinbreathlessrapture.
“SheisalmostasbigasLottie,”someonegasped.
Lottieclappedherhandsanddancedabout,giggling.
“She’sdressedforthetheater,”saidLavinia.“Hercloakislinedwithermine.”
“Oh,”criedErmengarde,dartingforward,“shehasanopera-glassinherhand—ablue-and-goldone!”
“Hereishertrunk,”saidSara.“Letusopenitandlookatherthings.”
Shesatdownuponthefloorandturnedthekey.
Thechildrencrowdedclamoringaroundher,assheliftedtrayaftertrayandrevealedtheircontents.
Neverhadtheschoolroombeeninsuchanuproar.
Therewerelacecollarsandsilkstockingsandhandkerchiefs;therewasajewelcasecontaininganecklaceandatiarawhichlookedquiteasiftheyweremadeofrealdiamonds;therewasalongsealskinandmuff,therewereballdressesandwalkingdressesandvisitingdresses;therewerehatsandteagownsandfans.
EvenLaviniaandJessieforgotthattheyweretooelderlytocarefordolls,andutteredexclamationsofdelightandcaughtupthingstolookatthem.
“Suppose,”Sarasaid,asshestoodbythetable,puttingalarge,black-velvethatontheimpassivelysmilingownerofallthesesplendors—”supposesheunderstandshumantalkandfeelsproudofbeingadmired.”
“Youarealwayssupposingthings,”saidLavinia,andherairwasverysuperior.
“IknowIam,”answeredSara,undisturbedly.“Ilikeit.Thereisnothingsoniceassupposing.It’salmostlikebeingafairy.Ifyousupposeanythinghardenoughitseemsasifitwerereal.”
“It’sallverywelltosupposethingsifyouhaveeverything,”saidLavinia.“Couldyousupposeandpretendifyouwereabeggarandlivedinagarret?”
SarastoppedarrangingtheLastDoll’sostrichplumes,andlookedthoughtful.
“IbelieveIcould,”shesaid.“Ifonewasabeggar,onewouldhavetosupposeandpretendallthetime.Butitmightn’tbeeasy.”
Sheoftenthoughtafterwardhowstrangeitwasthatjustasshehadfinishedsayingthis—justatthatverymoment—MissAmeliacameintotheroom.
“Sara,”shesaid,“yourpapa’ssolicitor,Mr.Barrow,hascalledtoseeMissMinchin,and,asshemusttalktohimaloneandtherefreshmentsarelaidinherparlor,youhadallbettercomeandhaveyourfeastnow,sothatmysistercanhaveherinterviewhereintheschoolroom.”
Refreshmentswerenotlikelytobedisdainedatanyhour,andmanypairsofeyesgleamed.
MissAmeliaarrangedtheprocessionintodecorum,andthen,withSaraathersideheadingit,sheleditaway,leavingtheLastDollsittinguponachairwiththegloriesofherwardrobescatteredabouther;dressesandcoatshunguponchairbacks,pilesoflace-frilledpetticoatslyingupontheirseats.
Becky,whowasnotexpectedtopartakeofrefreshments,hadtheindiscretiontolingeramomenttolookatthesebeauties—itreallywasanindiscretion.
“Gobacktoyourwork,Becky,”MissAmeliahadsaid;butshehadstoppedtopickupreverentlyfirstamuffandthenacoat,andwhileshestoodlookingatthemadoringly,sheheardMissMinchinuponthethreshold,and,beingsmittenwithterroratthethoughtofbeingaccusedoftakingliberties,sherashlydartedunderthetable,whichhidherbyitstablecloth.
MissMinchincameintotheroom,accompaniedbyasharp-featured,drylittlegentleman,wholookedratherdisturbed.
MissMinchinherselfalsolookedratherdisturbed,itmustbeadmitted,andshegazedatthedrylittlegentlemanwithanirritatedandpuzzledexpression.
Shesatdownwithstiffdignity,andwavedhimtoachair.
“Pray,beseated,Mr.Barrow,”shesaid.
Mr.Barrowdidnotsitdownatonce.HisattentionseemedattractedbytheLastDollandthethingswhichsurroundedher.
Hesettledhiseyeglassesandlookedattheminnervousdisapproval.
TheLastDollherselfdidnotseemtomindthisintheleast.
Shemerelysatuprightandreturnedhisgazeindifferently.
“Ahundredpounds,”Mr.Barrowremarkedsuccinctly.“Allexpensivematerial,andmadeataParisianmodiste’s.Hespentmoneylavishlyenough,thatyoungman.”
MissMinchinfeltoffended.Thisseemedtobeadisparagementofherbestpatronandwasaliberty.
Evensolicitorshadnorighttotakeliberties.
“Ibegyourpardon,Mr.Barrow,”shesaidstiffly.“Idonotunderstand.”
“Birthdaypresents,”saidMr.Barrowinthesamecriticalmanner,“toachildelevenyearsold!Madextravagance,Icallit.”
MissMinchindrewherselfupstillmorerigidly.
“CaptainCreweisamanoffortune,”shesaid.“Thediamondminesalone—”
Mr.Barrowwheeledrounduponher.“Diamondmines!”hebrokeout.“Therearenone!Neverwere!”
MissMinchinactuallygotupfromherchair.
“What!”shecried.“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Atanyrate,”answeredMr.Barrow,quitesnappishly,“itwouldhavebeenmuchbetterifthereneverhadbeenany.”
“Anydiamondmines?”ejaculatedMissMinchin,catchingatthebackofachairandfeelingasifasplendiddreamwasfadingawayfromher.
“Diamondminesspellruinoftenerthantheyspellwealth,”saidMr.Barrow.
“Whenamanisinthehandsofaverydearfriendandisnotabusinessmanhimself,hehadbettersteerclearofthedearfriend’sdiamondmines,orgoldmines,oranyotherkindofminesdearfriendswanthismoneytoputinto.ThelateCaptainCrewe—”
HereMissMinchinstoppedhimwithagasp.
“ThelateCaptainCrewe!”shecriedout.“Thelate!Youdon’tcometotellmethatCaptainCreweis—”
“He’sdead,ma’am,”Mr.Barrowansweredwithjerkybrusqueness.
“Diedofjunglefeverandbusinesstroublescombined.
Thejunglefevermightnothavekilledhimifhehadnotbeendrivenmadbythebusinesstroubles,andthebusinesstroublesmightnothaveputanendtohimifthejunglefeverhadnotassisted.CaptainCreweisdead!”
MissMinchindroppedintoherchairagain.Thewordshehadspokenfilledherwithalarm.
“Whatwerehisbusinesstroubles?”shesaid.“Whatwerethey?”
“Diamondmines,”answeredMr.Barrow,“anddearfriends—andruin.”
MissMinchinlostherbreath.
“Ruin!”shegaspedout.
“Losteverypenny.Thatyoungmanhadtoomuchmoney.
Thedearfriendwasmadonthesubjectofthediamondmine.
Heputallhisownmoneyintoit,andallCaptainCrewe’s.
Thenthedearfriendranaway—CaptainCrewewasalreadystrickenwithfeverwhenthenewscame.Theshockwastoomuchforhim.
Hedieddelirious,ravingabouthislittlegirl—anddidn’tleaveapenny.”
NowMissMinchinunderstood,andneverhadshereceivedsuchablowinherlife.
Hershowpupil,hershowpatron,sweptawayfromtheSelectSeminaryatoneblow.
Shefeltasifshehadbeenoutragedandrobbed,andthatCaptainCreweandSaraandMr.Barrowwereequallytoblame.
“Doyoumeantotellme,”shecriedout,“thatheleftnothing!ThatSarawillhavenofortune!Thatthechildisabeggar!Thatsheisleftonmyhandsalittlepauperinsteadofanheiress?”
Mr.Barrowwasashrewdbusinessman,andfeltitaswelltomakehisownfreedomfromresponsibilityquiteclearwithoutanydelay.
“Sheiscertainlyleftabeggar,”hereplied.“Andsheiscertainlyleftonyourhands,ma’am—asshehasn’tarelationintheworldthatweknowof.”
MissMinchinstartedforward.Shelookedasifshewasgoingtoopenthedoorandrushoutoftheroomtostopthefestivitiesgoingonjoyfullyandrathernoisilythatmomentovertherefreshments.
“Itismonstrous!”shesaid.“She’sinmysittingroomatthismoment,dressedinsilkgauzeandlacepetticoats,givingapartyatmyexpense.”
“She’sgivingitatyourexpense,madam,ifshe’sgivingit,”saidMr.Barrow,calmly.
“Barrow&Skipwortharenotresponsibleforanything.
Thereneverwasacleanersweepmadeofaman’sfortune.
CaptainCrewediedwithoutpayingourlastbill—anditwasabigone.”
MissMinchinturnedbackfromthedoorinincreasedindignation.Thiswasworsethananyonecouldhavedreamedofitsbeing.
“Thatiswhathashappenedtome!”shecried.
“IwasalwayssosureofhispaymentsthatIwenttoallsortsofridiculousexpensesforthechild.
Ipaidthebillsforthatridiculousdollandherridiculousfantasticwardrobe.
Thechildwastohaveanythingshewanted.
Shehasacarriageandaponyandamaid,andI’vepaidforallofthemsincethelastchequecame.”
Mr.BarrowevidentlydidnotintendtoremaintolistentothestoryofMissMinchin’sgrievancesafterhehadmadethepositionofhisfirmclearandrelatedthemeredryfacts.
Hedidnotfeelanyparticularsympathyforiratekeepersofboardingschools.
“Youhadbetternotpayforanythingmore,ma’am,”heremarked,“unlessyouwanttomakepresentstotheyounglady.Noonewillrememberyou.Shehasn’tabrassfarthingtocallherown.”
“ButwhatamItodo?”demandedMissMinchin,asifshefeltitentirelyhisdutytomakethematterright.“WhatamItodo?”
“Thereisn’tanythingtodo,”saidMr.Barrow,foldinguphiseyeglassesandslippingthemintohispocket.“CaptainCreweisdead.Thechildisleftapauper.Nobodyisresponsibleforherbutyou.”
“Iamnotresponsibleforher,andIrefusetobemaderesponsible!”
MissMinchinbecamequitewhitewithrage.
Mr.Barrowturnedtogo.
“Ihavenothingtodowiththat,madam,”hesaidun-interestedly.“Barrow&Skipwortharenotresponsible.Verysorrythethinghashappened,ofcourse.”
“Ifyouthinksheistobefoistedoffonme,youaregreatlymistaken,”MissMinchingasped.“Ihavebeenrobbedandcheated;Iwillturnherintothestreet!”
Ifshehadnotbeensofurious,shewouldhavebeentoodiscreettosayquitesomuch.
Shesawherselfburdenedwithanextravagantlybrought-upchildwhomshehadalwaysresented,andshelostallself-control.
Mr.Barrowundisturbedlymovedtowardthedoor.
“Iwouldn’tdothat,madam,”hecommented;“itwouldn’tlookwell.Unpleasantstorytogetaboutinconnectionwiththeestablishment.Pupilbundledoutpennilessandwithoutfriends.”
Hewasacleverbusinessman,andheknewwhathewassaying.
HealsoknewthatMissMinchinwasabusinesswoman,andwouldbeshrewdenoughtoseethetruth.
Shecouldnotaffordtodoathingwhichwouldmakepeoplespeakofherascruelandhard-hearted.
“Betterkeepherandmakeuseofher,”headded.“She’sacleverchild,Ibelieve.Youcangetagooddealoutofherasshegrowsolder.”
“Iwillgetagooddealoutofherbeforeshegrowsolder!”exclaimedMissMinchin.
“Iamsureyouwill,ma’am,”saidMr.Barrow,withalittlesinistersmile.“Iamsureyouwill.Goodmorning!”
Hebowedhimselfoutandclosedthedoor,anditmustbeconfessedthatMissMinchinstoodforafewmomentsandglaredatit.Whathehadsaidwasquitetrue.Sheknewit.Shehadabsolutelynoredress.
Hershowpupilhadmeltedintonothingness,leavingonlyafriendless,beggaredlittlegirl.
Suchmoneyassheherselfhadadvancedwaslostandcouldnotberegained.
Andasshestoodtherebreathlessunderhersenseofinjury,therefelluponherearsaburstofgayvoicesfromherownsacredroom,whichhadactuallybeengivenuptothefeast.Shecouldatleaststopthis.
ButasshestartedtowardthedooritwasopenedbyMissAmelia,who,whenshecaughtsightofthechanged,angryface,fellbackastepinalarm.
“Whatisthematter,sister?”sheejaculated.
MissMinchin’svoicewasalmostfiercewhensheanswered:
“WhereisSaraCrewe?”
MissAmeliawasbewildered.
“Sara!”shestammered.“Why,she’swiththechildreninyourroom,ofcourse.”
“Hassheablackfrockinhersumptuouswardrobe?”—inbitterirony.
“Ablackfrock?”MissAmeliastammeredagain.“Ablackone?”
“Shehasfrocksofeveryothercolor.Hassheablackone?”
MissAmeliabegantoturnpale.
“No—ye-es!”shesaid.“Butitistooshortforher.Shehasonlytheoldblackvelvet,andshehasoutgrownit.”
“Goandtellhertotakeoffthatpreposterouspinksilkgauze,andputtheblackoneon,whetheritistooshortornot.Shehasdonewithfinery!”
ThenMissAmeliabegantowringherfathandsandcry.
“Oh,sister!”shesniffed.“Oh,sister!Whatcanhavehappened?”
MissMinchinwastednowords.
“CaptainCreweisdead,”shesaid.“Hehasdiedwithoutapenny.Thatspoiled,pampered,fancifulchildisleftapauperonmyhands.”
MissAmeliasatdownquiteheavilyinthenearestchair.
“HundredsofpoundshaveIspentonnonsenseforher.AndIshallneverseeapennyofit.Putastoptothisridiculouspartyofhers.Goandmakeherchangeherfrockatonce.”
“I?”pantedMissAmelia.“M-mustIgoandtellhernow?”
“Thismoment!”wasthefierceanswer.“Don’tsitstaringlikeagoose.Go!”
PoorMissAmeliawasaccustomedtobeingcalledagoose.
Sheknew,infact,thatshewasratheragoose,andthatitwaslefttogeesetodoagreatmanydisagreeablethings.
Itwasasomewhatembarrassingthingtogointothemidstofaroomfullofdelightedchildren,andtellthegiverofthefeastthatshehadsuddenlybeentransformedintoalittlebeggar,andmustgoupstairsandputonanoldblackfrockwhichwastoosmallforher.Butthethingmustbedone.
Thiswasevidentlynotthetimewhenquestionsmightbeasked.
Sherubbedhereyeswithherhandkerchiefuntiltheylookedquitered.
Afterwhichshegotupandwentoutoftheroom,withoutventuringtosayanotherword.
Whenheroldersisterlookedandspokeasshehaddonejustnow,thewisestcoursetopursuewastoobeyorderswithoutanycomment.MissMinchinwalkedacrosstheroom.
Shespoketoherselfaloudwithoutknowingthatshewasdoingit.
Duringthelastyearthestoryofthediamondmineshadsuggestedallsortsofpossibilitiestoher.
Evenproprietorsofseminariesmightmakefortunesinstocks,withtheaidofownersofmines.
Andnow,insteadoflookingforwardtogains,shewaslefttolookbackuponlosses.
“ThePrincessSara,indeed!”shesaid.
“Thechildhasbeenpamperedasifshewereaqueen.”
Shewassweepingangrilypastthecornertableasshesaidit,andthenextmomentshestartedatthesoundofaloud,sobbingsniffwhichissuedfromunderthecover.
“Whatisthat!”sheexclaimedangrily.Theloud,sobbingsniffwasheardagain,andshestoopedandraisedthehangingfoldsofthetablecover.
“Howdareyou!”shecriedout.“Howdareyou!Comeoutimmediately!”
ItwaspoorBeckywhocrawledout,andhercapwasknockedononeside,andherfacewasredwithrepressedcrying.
“Ifyouplease,‘m—it’sme,mum,”sheexplained.“IknowIhadn’toughtto.ButIwaslookin’atthedoll,mum—an’Iwasfrightenedwhenyoucomein—an’slippedunderthetable.”
“Youhavebeenthereallthetime,listening,”saidMissMinchin.
“No,mum,”Beckyprotested,bobbingcurtsies.
“Notlistenin’—IthoughtIcouldslipoutwithoutyournoticin’,butIcouldn’tan’Ihadtostay.
ButIdidn’tlisten,mum—Iwouldn’tfornothin’.ButIcouldn’thelphearin’.”
Suddenlyitseemedalmostasifshelostallfearoftheawfulladybeforeher.Sheburstintofreshtears.
“Oh,please,‘m,”shesaid;“Idaresayyou’llgivemewarnin,mum—butI’msosorryforpoorMissSara—I’msosorry!”
“Leavetheroom!”orderedMissMinchin.
Beckycurtsiedagain,thetearsopenlystreamingdownhercheeks.
“Yes,‘m;Iwill,‘m,”shesaid,trembling;“butoh,Ijustwantedtoarstyou:MissSara—she’sbeensucharichyounglady,an’she’sbeenwaitedon,‘andandfoot;an’whatwillshedonow,mum,withoutnomaid?
If—if,ohplease,wouldyouletmewaitonherafterI’vedonemypotsan’kettles?
I’ddo‘emthatquick—ifyou’dletmewaitonhernowshe’spoor.
Oh,”breakingoutafresh,“poorlittleMissSara,mum—thatwascalledaprincess.”
Somehow,shemadeMissMinchinfeelmoreangrythanever.
Thattheveryscullerymaidshouldrangeherselfonthesideofthischild—whomsherealizedmorefullythaneverthatshehadneverliked—wastoomuch.Sheactuallystampedherfoot.
“No—certainlynot,”shesaid.“Shewillwaitonherself,andonotherpeople,too.Leavetheroomthisinstant,oryou’llleaveyourplace.”
Beckythrewherapronoverherheadandfled.Sheranoutoftheroomanddownthestepsintothescullery,andthereshesatdownamongherpotsandkettles,andweptasifherheartwouldbreak.
“It’sexactlyliketheonesinthestories,”shewailed.“Themporeprincessonesthatwasdroveintotheworld.”
MissMinchinhadneverlookedquitesostillandhardasshedidwhenSaracametoher,afewhourslater,inresponsetoamessageshehadsenther.
EvenbythattimeitseemedtoSaraasifthebirthdaypartyhadeitherbeenadreamorathingwhichhadhappenedyearsago,andhadhappenedinthelifeofquiteanotherlittlegirl.
Everysignofthefestivitieshadbeensweptaway;thehollyhadbeenremovedfromtheschoolroomwalls,andtheformsanddesksputbackintotheirplaces.
MissMinchin’ssittingroomlookedasitalwaysdid—alltracesofthefeastweregone,andMissMinchinhadresumedherusualdress.
Thepupilshadbeenorderedtolayasidetheirpartyfrocks;andthishavingbeendone,theyhadreturnedtotheschoolroomandhuddledtogetheringroups,whisperingandtalkingexcitedly.
“TellSaratocometomyroom,”MissMinchinhadsaidtohersister.“AndexplaintoherclearlythatIwillhavenocryingorunpleasantscenes.”
“Sister,”repliedMissAmelia,“sheisthestrangestchildIeversaw.Shehasactuallymadenofussatall.
YouremembershemadenonewhenCaptainCrewewentbacktoIndia.
WhenItoldherwhathadhappened,shejuststoodquitestillandlookedatmewithoutmakingasound.
Hereyesseemedtogetbiggerandbigger,andshewentquitepale.
WhenIhadfinished,shestillstoodstaringforafewseconds,andthenherchinbegantoshake,andsheturnedroundandranoutoftheroomandupstairs.
Severaloftheotherchildrenbegantocry,butshedidnotseemtohearthemortobealivetoanythingbutjustwhatIwassaying.
Itmademefeelquitequeernottobeanswered;andwhenyoutellanythingsuddenandstrange,youexpectpeoplewillsaysomething—whateveritis.”
NobodybutSaraherselfeverknewwhathadhappenedinherroomaftershehadrunupstairsandlockedherdoor.
Infact,sheherselfscarcelyrememberedanythingbutthatshewalkedupanddown,sayingoverandoveragaintoherselfinavoicewhichdidnotseemherown,“Mypapaisdead!Mypapaisdead!”
OnceshestoppedbeforeEmily,whosatwatchingherfromherchair,andcriedoutwildly,“Emily!Doyouhear?Doyouhear—papaisdead?HeisdeadinIndia—thousandsofmilesaway.”
WhenshecameintoMissMinchin’ssittingroominanswertohersummons,herfacewaswhiteandhereyeshaddarkringsaroundthem.
Hermouthwassetasifshedidnotwishittorevealwhatshehadsufferedandwassuffering.
Shedidnotlookintheleastliketherose-coloredbutterflychildwhohadflownaboutfromoneofhertreasurestotheotherinthedecoratedschoolroom.
Shelookedinsteadastrange,desolate,almostgrotesquelittlefigure.
Shehadputon,withoutMariette’shelp,thecast-asideblack-velvetfrock.
Itwastooshortandtight,andherslenderlegslookedlongandthin,showingthemselvesfrombeneaththebriefskirt.
Asshehadnotfoundapieceofblackribbon,hershort,thick,blackhairtumbledlooselyaboutherfaceandcontrastedstronglywithitspallor.
SheheldEmilytightlyinonearm,andEmilywasswathedinapieceofblackmaterial.
“Putdownyourdoll,”saidMissMinchin.“Whatdoyoumeanbybringingherhere?”
“No,”Saraanswered.“Iwillnotputherdown.SheisallIhave.Mypapagavehertome.”
ShehadalwaysmadeMissMinchinfeelsecretlyuncomfortable,andshedidsonow.
ShedidnotspeakwithrudenesssomuchaswithacoldsteadinesswithwhichMissMinchinfeltitdifficulttocope—perhapsbecausesheknewshewasdoingaheartlessandinhumanthing.
“Youwillhavenotimefordollsinfuture,”shesaid.“Youwillhavetoworkandimproveyourselfandmakeyourselfuseful.”
Sarakeptherbig,strangeeyesfixedonher,andsaidnotaword.
“Everythingwillbeverydifferentnow,”MissMinchinwenton.“IsupposeMissAmeliahasexplainedmatterstoyou.”
“Yes,”answeredSara.“Mypapaisdead.Heleftmenomoney.Iamquitepoor.”
“Youareabeggar,”saidMissMinchin,hertemperrisingattherecollectionofwhatallthismeant.“Itappearsthatyouhavenorelationsandnohome,andnoonetotakecareofyou.”
Foramomentthethin,palelittlefacetwitched,butSaraagainsaidnothing.
“Whatareyoustaringat?”demandedMissMinchin,sharply.
“Areyousostupidthatyoucannotunderstand?
Itellyouthatyouarequitealoneintheworld,andhavenoonetodoanythingforyou,unlessIchoosetokeepyouhereoutofcharity.”
“Iunderstand,”answeredSara,inalowtone;andtherewasasoundasifshehadgulpeddownsomethingwhichroseinherthroat.“Iunderstand.”
“Thatdoll,”criedMissMinchin,pointingtothesplendidbirthdaygiftseatednear—”thatridiculousdoll,withallhernonsensical,extravagantthings—Iactuallypaidthebillforher!”
Saraturnedherheadtowardthechair.
“TheLastDoll,”shesaid.“TheLastDoll.”Andherlittlemournfulvoicehadanoddsound.
“TheLastDoll,indeed!”saidMissMinchin.“Andsheismine,notyours.Everythingyouownismine.”
“Pleasetakeitawayfromme,then,”saidSara.“Idonotwantit.”
Ifshehadcriedandsobbedandseemedfrightened,MissMinchinmightalmosthavehadmorepatiencewithher.
Shewasawomanwholikedtodomineerandfeelherpower,andasshelookedatSara’spalelittlesteadfastfaceandheardherproudlittlevoice,shequitefeltasifhermightwasbeingsetatnaught.
“Don’tputongrandairs,”shesaid.“Thetimeforthatsortofthingispast.Youarenotaprincessanylonger.
Yourcarriageandyourponywillbesentaway—yourmaidwillbedismissed.
Youwillwearyouroldestandplainestclothes—yourextravagantonesarenolongersuitedtoyourstation.
YouarelikeBecky—youmustworkforyourliving.”
Tohersurprise,afaintgleamoflightcameintothechild’seyes—ashadeofrelief.
“CanIwork?”shesaid.“IfIcanworkitwillnotmattersomuch.WhatcanIdo?”
“Youcandoanythingyouaretold,”wastheanswer.
“Youareasharpchild,andpickupthingsreadily.
IfyoumakeyourselfusefulImayletyoustayhere.
YouspeakFrenchwell,andyoucanhelpwiththeyoungerchildren.”
“MayI?”exclaimedSara.“Oh,pleaseletme!IknowIcanteachthem.Ilikethem,andtheylikeme.”
“Don’ttalknonsenseaboutpeoplelikingyou,”saidMissMinchin.
“Youwillhavetodomorethanteachthelittleones.
Youwillrunerrandsandhelpinthekitchenaswellasintheschoolroom.
Ifyoudon’tpleaseme,youwillbesentaway.Rememberthat.Nowgo.”
Sarastoodstilljustamoment,lookingather.Inheryoungsoul,shewasthinkingdeepandstrangethings.Thensheturnedtoleavetheroom.
“Stop!”saidMissMinchin.“Don’tyouintendtothankme?”
Sarapaused,andallthedeep,strangethoughtssurgedupinherbreast.
“Whatfor?”shesaid.
“Formykindnesstoyou,”repliedMissMinchin.“Formykindnessingivingyouahome.”
Saramadetwoorthreestepstowardher.Herthinlittlechestheavedupanddown,andshespokeinastrangeun-childishlyfierceway.
“Youarenotkind,”shesaid.“Youarenotkind,anditisnotahome.”
AndshehadturnedandrunoutoftheroombeforeMissMinchincouldstopherordoanythingbutstareafterherwithstonyanger.
Shewentupthestairsslowly,butpantingforbreathandsheheldEmilytightlyagainstherside.
“Iwishshecouldtalk,”shesaidtoherself.“Ifshecouldspeak—ifshecouldspeak!”
Shemeanttogotoherroomandliedownonthetiger-skin,withhercheekuponthegreatcat’shead,andlookintothefireandthinkandthinkandthink.
ButjustbeforeshereachedthelandingMissAmeliacameoutofthedoorandcloseditbehindher,andstoodbeforeit,lookingnervousandawkward.
Thetruthwasthatshefeltsecretlyashamedofthethingshehadbeenorderedtodo.
“You—youarenottogointhere,”shesaid.
“Notgoin?”exclaimedSara,andshefellbackapace.
“Thatisnotyourroomnow,”MissAmeliaanswered,reddeningalittle.
Somehow,allatonce,Saraunderstood.SherealizedthatthiswasthebeginningofthechangeMissMinchinhadspokenof.
“Whereismyroom?”sheasked,hopingverymuchthathervoicedidnotshake.
“YouaretosleepintheatticnexttoBecky.”
Saraknewwhereitwas.Beckyhadtoldheraboutit.
Sheturned,andmounteduptwoflightsofstairs.
Thelastonewasnarrow,andcoveredwithshabbystripsofoldcarpet.
Shefeltasifshewerewalkingawayandleavingfarbehindhertheworldinwhichthatotherchild,whonolongerseemedherself,hadlived.
Thischild,inhershort,tightoldfrock,climbingthestairstotheattic,wasquiteadifferentcreature.
Whenshereachedtheatticdoorandopenedit,herheartgaveadrearylittlethump.Thensheshutthedoorandstoodagainstitandlookedabouther.
Yes,thiswasanotherworld.Theroomhadaslantingroofandwaswhitewashed.
Thewhitewashwasdingyandhadfallenoffinplaces.
Therewasarustygrate,anoldironbedstead,andahardbedcoveredwithafadedcoverlet.
Somepiecesoffurnituretoomuchworntobeuseddownstairshadbeensentup.
Undertheskylightintheroof,whichshowednothingbutanoblongpieceofdullgraysky,therestoodanoldbatteredredfootstool.Sarawenttoitandsatdown.Sheseldomcried.Shedidnotcrynow.
ShelaidEmilyacrossherkneesandputherfacedownuponherandherarmsaroundher,andsatthere,herlittleblackheadrestingontheblackdraperies,notsayingoneword,notmakingonesound.
Andasshesatinthissilencetherecamealowtapatthedoor—suchalow,humbleonethatshedidnotatfirsthearit,and,indeed,wasnotrouseduntilthedoorwastimidlypushedopenandapoortear-smearedfaceappearedpeepingroundit.
ItwasBecky’sface,andBeckyhadbeencryingfurtivelyforhoursandrubbinghereyeswithherkitchenapronuntilshelookedstrangeindeed.
“Oh,miss,”shesaidunderherbreath.“MightI—wouldyouallowme—jesttocomein?”
Saraliftedherheadandlookedather.Shetriedtobeginasmile,andsomehowshecouldnot.
Suddenly—anditwasallthroughthelovingmournfulnessofBecky’sstreamingeyes—herfacelookedmorelikeachild’snotsomuchtoooldforheryears.
Sheheldoutherhandandgavealittlesob.
“Oh,Becky,”shesaid.“Itoldyouwewerejustthesame—onlytwolittlegirls—justtwolittlegirls.Youseehowtrueitis.There’snodifferencenow.I’mnotaprincessanymore.”
Beckyrantoherandcaughtherhand,andhuggedittoherbreast,kneelingbesideherandsobbingwithloveandpain.
“Yes,miss,youare,”shecried,andherwordswereallbroken.“Whats’ever‘appenstoyou—whats’ever—you’dbeaprincessallthesame—an’nothin’couldn’tmakeyounothin’different.”
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