English
Imagine,ifyoucan,whattherestoftheeveningwaslike.
Howtheycrouchedbythefirewhichblazedandleapedandmadesomuchofitselfinthelittlegrate.
Howtheyremovedthecoversofthedishes,andfoundrich,hot,savorysoup,whichwasamealinitself,andsandwichesandtoastandmuffinsenoughforbothofthem.
ThemugfromthewashstandwasusedasBecky’steacup,andtheteawassodeliciousthatitwasnotnecessarytopretendthatitwasanythingbuttea.
Theywerewarmandfull-fedandhappy,anditwasjustlikeSarathat,havingfoundherstrangegoodfortunereal,sheshouldgiveherselfuptotheenjoymentofittotheutmost.
Shehadlivedsuchalifeofimaginingsthatshewasquiteequaltoacceptinganywonderfulthingthathappened,andalmosttocease,inashorttime,tofinditbewildering.
“Idon’tknowanyoneintheworldwhocouldhavedoneit,”shesaid;“buttherehasbeensomeone.
Andherewearesittingbytheirfire—and—and—it’strue!
Andwhoeveritis—wherevertheyare—Ihaveafriend,Becky—someoneismyfriend.”
Itcannotbedeniedthatastheysatbeforetheblazingfire,andatethenourishing,comfortablefood,theyfeltakindofrapturousawe,andlookedintoeachother’seyeswithsomethinglikedoubt.
“Doyouthink,”Beckyfalteredonce,inawhisper,“doyouthinkitcouldmeltaway,miss?Hadn’twebetterbequick?”
Andshehastilycrammedhersandwichintohermouth.
Ifitwasonlyadream,kitchenmannerswouldbeoverlooked.
“No,itwon’tmeltaway,”saidSara.“Iameatingthismuffin,andIcantasteit.Youneverreallyeatthingsindreams.
Youonlythinkyouaregoingtoeatthem.
Besides,Ikeepgivingmyselfpinches;andItouchedahotpieceofcoaljustnow,onpurpose.”
Thesleepycomfortwhichatlengthalmostoverpoweredthemwasaheavenlything.
Itwasthedrowsinessofhappy,well-fedchildhood,andtheysatinthefireglowandluxuriatedinituntilSarafoundherselfturningtolookathertransformedbed.
TherewereevenblanketsenoughtosharewithBecky.Thenarrowcouchinthenextatticwasmorecomfortablethatnightthanitsoccupanthadeverdreamedthatitcouldbe.
Asshewentoutoftheroom,Beckyturneduponthethresholdandlookedaboutherwithdevouringeyes.
“Ifitain’thereinthemornin’,miss,”shesaid,“it’sbeenheretonight,anyways,an’Ishan’tneverforgetit.”
Shelookedateachparticularthing,asiftocommitittomemory.
“Thefirewasthere”,pointingwithherfinger,“an’thetablewasbeforeit;an’thelampwasthere,an’thelightlookedrosyred;an’therewasasatincoveronyourbed,an’awarmrugonthefloor,an’everythin’lookedbeautiful;an’”—shepausedasecond,andlaidherhandonherstomachtenderly—”therewassoupan’sandwichesan’muffins—therewas.”
And,withthisconvictionarealityatleast,shewentaway.
Throughthemysteriousagencywhichworksinschoolsandamongservants,itwasquitewellknowninthemorningthatSaraCrewewasinhorribledisgrace,thatErmengardewasunderpunishment,andthatBeckywouldhavebeenpackedoutofthehousebeforebreakfast,butthatascullerymaidcouldnotbedispensedwithatonce.
TheservantsknewthatshewasallowedtostaybecauseMissMinchincouldnoteasilyfindanothercreaturehelplessandhumbleenoughtoworklikeaboundenslaveforsofewshillingsaweek.
TheeldergirlsintheschoolroomknewthatifMissMinchindidnotsendSaraawayitwasforpracticalreasonsofherown.
“She’sgrowingsofastandlearningsuchalot,somehow,”saidJessietoLavinia,“thatshewillbegivenclassessoon,andMissMinchinknowsshewillhavetoworkfornothing.
Itwasrathernastyofyou,Lavvy,totellaboutherhavingfuninthegarret.Howdidyoufinditout?”
“IgotitoutofLottie.She’ssuchababyshedidn’tknowshewastellingme.
TherewasnothingnastyatallinspeakingtoMissMinchin.Ifeltitmyduty”—priggishly.“Shewasbeingdeceitful.
Andit’sridiculousthatsheshouldlooksogrand,andbemadesomuchof,inherragsandtatters!”
“WhatweretheydoingwhenMissMinchincaughtthem?”
“Pretendingsomesillything.ErmengardehadtakenupherhampertosharewithSaraandBecky.Sheneverinvitesustosharethings.
NotthatIcare,butit’srathervulgarofhertosharewithservantgirlsinattics.
IwonderMissMinchindidn’tturnSaraout—evenifshedoeswantherforateacher.”
“Ifshewasturnedoutwherewouldshego?”inquiredJessie,atrifleanxiously.
“HowdoIknow?”snappedLavinia.
“She’lllookratherqueerwhenshecomesintotheschoolroomthismorning,Ishouldthink—afterwhat’shappened.
Shehadnodinneryesterday,andshe’snottohaveanytoday.”
Jessiewasnotasill-naturedasshewassilly.Shepickedupherbookwithalittlejerk.
“Well,Ithinkit’shorrid,”shesaid.“They’venorighttostarvehertodeath.”
WhenSarawentintothekitchenthatmorningthecooklookedaskanceather,andsodidthehousemaids;butshepassedthemhurriedly.
Shehad,infact,oversleptherselfalittle,andasBeckyhaddonethesame,neitherhadhadtimetoseetheother,andeachhadcomedownstairsinhaste.
Sarawentintothescullery.Beckywasviolentlyscrubbingakettle,andwasactuallygurglingalittlesonginherthroat.Shelookedupwithawildlyelatedface.
“ItwastherewhenIwakened,miss—theblanket,”shewhisperedexcitedly.“Itwasasrealasitwaslastnight.”
“Sowasmine,”saidSara.“Itisalltherenow—allofit.WhileIwasdressingIatesomeofthecoldthingsweleft.”
“Oh,laws!Oh,laws!”Beckyutteredtheexclamationinasortofrapturousgroan,andduckedherheadoverherkettlejustintime,asthecookcameinfromthekitchen.
MissMinchinhadexpectedtoseeinSara,whensheappearedintheschoolroom,verymuchwhatLaviniahadexpectedtosee.
Sarahadalwaysbeenanannoyingpuzzletoher,becauseseveritynevermadehercryorlookfrightened.
Whenshewasscoldedshestoodstillandlistenedpolitelywithagraveface;whenshewaspunishedsheperformedherextratasksorwentwithouthermeals,makingnocomplaintoroutwardsignofrebellion.
TheveryfactthatshenevermadeanimpudentanswerseemedtoMissMinchinakindofimpudenceinitself.
Butafteryesterday’sdeprivationofmeals,theviolentsceneoflastnight,theprospectofhungertoday,shemustsurelyhavebrokendown.
Itwouldbestrangeindeedifshedidnotcomedownstairswithpalecheeksandredeyesandanunhappy,humbledface.
MissMinchinsawherforthefirsttimewhensheenteredtheschoolroomtohearthelittleFrenchclassreciteitslessonsandsuperintenditsexercises.
Andshecameinwithaspringingstep,colorinhercheeks,andasmilehoveringaboutthecornersofhermouth.
ItwasthemostastonishingthingMissMinchinhadeverknown.Itgaveherquiteashock.Whatwasthechildmadeof?Whatcouldsuchathingmean?Shecalledheratoncetoherdesk.
“Youdonotlookasifyourealizethatyouareindisgrace,”shesaid.“Areyouabsolutelyhardened?”
Thetruthisthatwhenoneisstillachild—orevenifoneisgrownup—andhasbeenwellfed,andhassleptlongandsoftlyandwarm;whenonehasgonetosleepinthemidstofafairystory,andhaswakenedtofinditreal,onecannotbeunhappyorevenlookasifonewere;andonecouldnot,ifonetried,keepaglowofjoyoutofone’seyes.
MissMinchinwasalmoststruckdumbbythelookofSara’seyeswhenshemadeherperfectlyrespectfulanswer.
“Ibegyourpardon,MissMinchin,”shesaid;“IknowthatIamindisgrace.”
“Begoodenoughnottoforgetitandlookasifyouhadcomeintoafortune.Itisanimpertinence.Andrememberyouaretohavenofoodtoday.”
“Yes,MissMinchin,”Saraanswered;butassheturnedawayherheartleapedwiththememoryofwhatyesterdayhadbeen.
“IftheMagichadnotsavedmejustintime,”shethought,“howhorribleitwouldhavebeen!”
“Shecan’tbeveryhungry,”whisperedLavinia.“Justlookather.Perhapssheispretendingshehashadagoodbreakfast”—withaspitefullaugh.
“She’sdifferentfromotherpeople,”saidJessie,watchingSarawithherclass.“SometimesI’mabitfrightenedofher.”
“Ridiculousthing!”ejaculatedLavinia.
AllthroughthedaythelightwasinSara’sface,andthecolorinhercheek.
Theservantscastpuzzledglancesather,andwhisperedtoeachother,andMissAmelia’ssmallblueeyesworeanexpressionofbewilderment.
Whatsuchanaudaciouslookofwell-being,underaugustdispleasurecouldmeanshecouldnotunderstand.
Itwas,however,justlikeSara’ssingularobstinateway.
Shewasprobablydeterminedtobravethematterout.
OnethingSarahadresolvedupon,asshethoughtthingsover.
Thewonderswhichhadhappenedmustbekeptasecret,ifsuchathingwerepossible.
IfMissMinchinshouldchoosetomounttotheatticagain,ofcourseallwouldbediscovered.
Butitdidnotseemlikelythatshewoulddosoforsometimeatleast,unlessshewasledbysuspicion.
ErmengardeandLottiewouldbewatchedwithsuchstrictnessthattheywouldnotdaretostealoutoftheirbedsagain.
Ermengardecouldbetoldthestoryandtrustedtokeepitsecret.
IfLottiemadeanydiscoveries,shecouldbeboundtosecrecyalso.
PerhapstheMagicitselfwouldhelptohideitsownmarvels.
“Butwhateverhappens,”Sarakeptsayingtoherselfallday—“whateverhappens,somewhereintheworldthereisaheavenlykindpersonwhoismyfriend—myfriend.
IfIneverknowwhoitis—ifInevercaneventhankhim—Ishallneverfeelquitesolonely.Oh,theMagicwasgoodtome!”
Ifitwaspossibleforweathertobeworsethanithadbeenthedaybefore,itwasworsethisday—wetter,muddier,colder.
Thereweremoreerrandstobedone,thecookwasmoreirritable,and,knowingthatSarawasindisgrace,shewasmoresavage.
Butwhatdoesanythingmatterwhenone’sMagichasjustproveditselfone’sfriend.
Sara’ssupperofthenightbeforehadgivenherstrength,sheknewthatsheshouldsleepwellandwarmly,and,eventhoughshehadnaturallybeguntobehungryagainbeforeevening,shefeltthatshecouldbearituntilbreakfast-timeonthefollowingday,whenhermealswouldsurelybegiventoheragain.
Itwasquitelatewhenshewasatlastallowedtogoupstairs.
Shehadbeentoldtogointotheschoolroomandstudyuntilteno’clock,andshehadbecomeinterestedinherwork,andremainedoverherbookslater.
Whenshereachedthetopflightofstairsandstoodbeforetheatticdoor,itmustbeconfessedthatherheartbeatratherfast.
“Ofcourseitmightallhavebeentakenaway,”shewhispered,tryingtobebrave.“Itmightonlyhavebeenlenttomeforjustthatoneawfulnight.Butitwaslenttome—Ihadit.Itwasreal.”
Shepushedthedooropenandwentin.Onceinside,shegaspedslightly,shutthedoor,andstoodwithherbackagainstitlookingfromsidetoside.
TheMagichadbeenthereagain.Itactuallyhad,andithaddoneevenmorethanbefore.
Thefirewasblazing,inlovelyleapingflames,moremerrilythanever.
Anumberofnewthingshadbeenbroughtintotheatticwhichsoalteredthelookofitthatifshehadnotbeenpastdoubtingshewouldhaverubbedhereyes.
Uponthelowtableanothersupperstood—thistimewithcupsandplatesforBeckyaswellasherself;apieceofbright,heavy,strangeembroiderycoveredthebatteredmantel,andonitsomeornamentshadbeenplaced.
Allthebare,uglythingswhichcouldbecoveredwithdraperieshadbeenconcealedandmadetolookquitepretty.
Someoddmaterialsofrichcolorshadbeenfastenedagainstthewallwithfine,sharptacks—sosharpthattheycouldbepressedintothewoodandplasterwithouthammering.
Somebrilliantfanswerepinnedup,andtherewereseverallargecushions,bigandsubstantialenoughtouseasseats.
Awoodenboxwascoveredwitharug,andsomecushionslayonit,sothatitworequitetheairofasofa.
Saraslowlymovedawayfromthedoorandsimplysatdownandlookedandlookedagain.
“Itisexactlylikesomethingfairycometrue,”shesaid.“Thereisn’ttheleastdifference.
IfeelasifImightwishforanything—diamondsorbagsofgold—andtheywouldappear!
Thatwouldn’tbeanystrangerthanthis.Isthismygarret?AmIthesamecold,ragged,dampSara?
AndtothinkIusedtopretendandpretendandwishtherewerefairies!
TheonethingIalwayswantedwastoseeafairystorycometrue.Iamlivinginafairystory.
IfeelasifImightbeafairymyself,andabletoturnthingsintoanythingelse.”
Sheroseandknockeduponthewallfortheprisonerinthenextcell,andtheprisonercame.
Whensheenteredshealmostdroppedinaheapuponthefloor.Forafewsecondsshequitelostherbreath.
“Oh,laws!”shegasped.“Oh,laws,miss!”
“Yousee,”saidSara.
OnthisnightBeckysatonacushionuponthehearthrugandhadacupandsaucerofherown.
WhenSarawenttobedshefoundthatshehadanewthickmattressandbigdownypillows.
HeroldmattressandpillowhadbeenremovedtoBecky’sbedstead,and,consequently,withtheseadditionsBeckyhadbeensuppliedwithunheard-ofcomfort.
“Wheredoesitallcomefrom?”Beckybrokeforthonce.“Laws,whodoesit,miss?”
“Don’tletusevenask,”saidSara.“IfitwerenotthatIwanttosay,`Oh,thankyou,’Iwouldrathernotknow.Itmakesitmorebeautiful.”
Fromthattimelifebecamemorewonderfuldaybyday.Thefairystorycontinued.
Almosteverydaysomethingnewwasdone.
SomenewcomfortorornamentappearedeachtimeSaraopenedthedooratnight,untilinashorttimetheatticwasabeautifullittleroomfullofallsortsofoddandluxuriousthings.
Theuglywallsweregraduallyentirelycoveredwithpicturesanddraperies,ingeniouspiecesoffoldingfurnitureappeared,abookshelfwashungupandfilledwithbooks,newcomfortsandconveniencesappearedonebyone,untilthereseemednothinglefttobedesired.
WhenSarawentdownstairsinthemorning,theremainsofthesupperwereonthetable;andwhenshereturnedtotheatticintheevening,themagicianhadremovedthemandleftanothernicelittlemeal.
MissMinchinwasasharshandinsultingasever,MissAmeliaaspeevish,andtheservantswereasvulgarandrude.
Sarawassentonerrandsinallweathers,andscoldedanddrivenhitherandthither;shewasscarcelyallowedtospeaktoErmengardeandLottie;Laviniasneeredattheincreasingshabbinessofherclothes;andtheothergirlsstaredcuriouslyatherwhensheappearedintheschoolroom.
Butwhatdiditallmatterwhileshewaslivinginthiswonderfulmysteriousstory?
Itwasmoreromanticanddelightfulthananythingshehadeverinventedtocomfortherstarvedyoungsoulandsaveherselffromdespair.
Sometimes,whenshewasscolded,shecouldscarcelykeepfromsmiling.
“Ifyouonlyknew!”shewassayingtoherself.“Ifyouonlyknew!”
Thecomfortandhappinesssheenjoyedweremakingherstronger,andshehadthemalwaystolookforwardto.
Ifshecamehomefromhererrandswetandtiredandhungry,sheknewshewouldsoonbewarmandwellfedaftershehadclimbedthestairs.
Duringthehardestdayshecouldoccupyherselfblissfullybythinkingofwhatsheshouldseewhensheopenedtheatticdoor,andwonderingwhatnewdelighthadbeenpreparedforher.
Inaveryshorttimeshebegantolooklessthin.
Colorcameintohercheeks,andhereyesdidnotseemsomuchtoobigforherface.
“SaraCrewelookswonderfullywell,”MissMinchinremarkeddisapprovinglytohersister.
“Yes,”answeredpoor,sillyMissAmelia.“Sheisabsolutelyfattening.Shewasbeginningtolooklikealittlestarvedcrow.”
“Starved!”exclaimedMissMinchin,angrily.“Therewasnoreasonwhysheshouldlookstarved.Shealwayshadplentytoeat!”
“Of—ofcourse,”agreedMissAmelia,humbly,alarmedtofindthatshehad,asusual,saidthewrongthing.
“Thereissomethingverydisagreeableinseeingthatsortofthinginachildofherage,”saidMissMinchin,withhaughtyvagueness.
“What—sortofthing?”MissAmeliaventured.
“Itmightalmostbecalleddefiance,”answeredMissMinchin,feelingannoyedbecausesheknewthethingsheresentedwasnothinglikedefiance,andshedidnotknowwhatotherunpleasanttermtouse.
“Thespiritandwillofanyotherchildwouldhavebeenentirelyhumbledandbrokenby—bythechangesshehashadtosubmitto.
But,uponmyword,sheseemsaslittlesubduedasif—asifshewereaprincess.”
“Doyouremember,”putintheunwiseMissAmelia,“whatshesaidtoyouthatdayintheschoolroomaboutwhatyouwoulddoifyoufoundoutthatshewas—”
“No,Idon’t,”saidMissMinchin.“Don’ttalknonsense.”Butsherememberedveryclearlyindeed.
Verynaturally,evenBeckywasbeginningtolookplumperandlessfrightened.Shecouldnothelpit.
Shehadhershareinthesecretfairystory,too.
Shehadtwomattresses,twopillows,plentyofbed-covering,andeverynightahotsupperandaseatonthecushionsbythefire.
TheBastillehadmeltedaway,theprisonersnolongerexisted.
Twocomfortedchildrensatinthemidstofdelights.
SometimesSarareadaloudfromherbooks,sometimesshelearnedherownlessons,sometimesshesatandlookedintothefireandtriedtoimaginewhoherfriendcouldbe,andwishedshecouldsaytohimsomeofthethingsinherheart.
Thenitcameaboutthatanotherwonderfulthinghappened.Amancametothedoorandleftseveralparcels.Allwereaddressedinlargeletters,“TotheLittleGirlintheright-handattic.”
Saraherselfwassenttoopenthedoorandtakethemin.Shelaidthetwolargestparcelsonthehalltable,andwaslookingattheaddress,whenMissMinchincamedownthestairsandsawher.
“Takethethingstotheyoungladytowhomtheybelong,”shesaidseverely.“Don’tstandtherestaringatthem.
“Theybelongtome,”answeredSara,quietly.
“Toyou?”exclaimedMissMinchin.“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Idon’tknowwheretheycomefrom,”saidSara,“buttheyareaddressedtome.Isleepintheright-handattic.Beckyhastheotherone.”
MissMinchincametohersideandlookedattheparcelswithanexcitedexpression.
“Whatisinthem?”shedemanded.
“Idon’tknow,”repliedSara.
“Openthem,”sheordered.
Saradidasshewastold.WhenthepackageswereunfoldedMissMinchin’scountenanceworesuddenlyasingularexpression.
Whatshesawwasprettyandcomfortableclothing—clothingofdifferentkinds:shoes,stockings,andgloves,andawarmandbeautifulcoat.
Therewereevenanicehatandanumbrella.
Theywereallgoodandexpensivethings,andonthepocketofthecoatwaspinnedapaper,onwhichwerewrittenthesewords:“Tobeworneveryday.
Willbereplacedbyotherswhennecessary.”
MissMinchinwasquiteagitated.Thiswasanincidentwhichsuggestedstrangethingstohersordidmind.
Coulditbethatshehadmadeamistake,afterall,andthattheneglectedchildhadsomepowerfulthougheccentricfriendinthebackground—perhapssomepreviouslyunknownrelation,whohadsuddenlytracedherwhereabouts,andchosetoprovideforherinthismysteriousandfantasticway?
Relationsweresometimesveryodd—particularlyricholdbacheloruncles,whodidnotcareforhavingchildrennearthem.
Amanofthatsortmightprefertooverlookhisyoungrelation’swelfareatadistance.
Suchaperson,however,wouldbesuretobecrotchetyandhot-temperedenoughtobeeasilyoffended.
Itwouldnotbeverypleasantifthereweresuchaone,andheshouldlearnallthetruthaboutthethin,shabbyclothes,thescantfood,andthehardwork.
Shefeltveryqueerindeed,andveryuncertain,andshegaveasideglanceatSara.
“Well,”shesaid,inavoicesuchasshehadneverusedsincethelittlegirllostherfather,“someoneisverykindtoyou.
Asthethingshavebeensent,andyouaretohavenewoneswhentheyarewornout,youmayaswellgoandputthemonandlookrespectable.
Afteryouaredressedyoumaycomedownstairsandlearnyourlessonsintheschoolroom.
Youneednotgooutonanymoreerrandstoday.”
Abouthalfanhourafterward,whentheschoolroomdooropenedandSarawalkedin,theentireseminarywasstruckdumb.
“Myword!”ejaculatedJessie,joggingLavinia’selbow.“LookatthePrincessSara!”
Everybodywaslooking,andwhenLavinialookedsheturnedquitered.
ItwasthePrincessSaraindeed.Atleast,sincethedayswhenshehadbeenaprincess,Sarahadneverlookedasshedidnow.
ShedidnotseemtheSaratheyhadseencomedownthebackstairsafewhoursago.
ShewasdressedinthekindoffrockLaviniahadbeenusedtoenvyingherthepossessionof.
Itwasdeepandwarmincolor,andbeautifullymade.
HerslenderfeetlookedastheyhaddonewhenJessiehadadmiredthem,andthehair,whoseheavylockshadmadeherlookratherlikeaShetlandponywhenitfelllooseabouthersmall,oddface,wastiedbackwitharibbon.
“Perhapssomeonehasleftherafortune,”Jessiewhispered.“Ialwaysthoughtsomethingwouldhappentoher.She’ssoqueer.”
“Perhapsthediamondmineshavesuddenlyappearedagain,”saidLavinia,scathingly.“Don’tpleaseherbystaringatherinthatway,yousillything.”
“Sara,”brokeinMissMinchin’sdeepvoice,“comeandsithere.”
Andwhilethewholeschoolroomstaredandpushedwithelbows,andscarcelymadeanyefforttoconcealitsexcitedcuriosity,Sarawenttoheroldseatofhonor,andbentherheadoverherbooks.
Thatnight,whenshewenttoherroom,aftersheandBeckyhadeatentheirsuppershesatandlookedatthefireseriouslyforalongtime.
“Areyoumakingsomethingupinyourhead,miss?”
Beckyinquiredwithrespectfulsoftness.
WhenSarasatinsilenceandlookedintothecoalswithdreamingeyesitgenerallymeantthatshewasmakinganewstory.
Butthistimeshewasnot,andsheshookherhead.
“No,”sheanswered.“IamwonderingwhatIoughttodo.”
Beckystared—stillrespectfully.ShewasfilledwithsomethingapproachingreverenceforeverythingSaradidandsaid.
“Ican’thelpthinkingaboutmyfriend,”Saraexplained.
“Ifhewantstokeephimselfasecret,itwouldberudetotryandfindoutwhoheis.
ButIdosowanthimtoknowhowthankfulIamtohim—andhowhappyhehasmademe.
Anyonewhoiskindwantstoknowwhenpeoplehavebeenmadehappy.
Theycareforthatmorethanforbeingthanked.Iwish—Idowish—”
Shestoppedshortbecausehereyesatthatinstantfelluponsomethingstandingonatableinacorner.
Itwassomethingshehadfoundintheroomwhenshecameuptoitonlytwodaysbefore.
Itwasalittlewriting-casefittedwithpaperandenvelopesandpensandink.
“Oh,”sheexclaimed,“whydidInotthinkofthatbefore?”
Sheroseandwenttothecornerandbroughtthecasebacktothefire.
“Icanwritetohim,”shesaidjoyfully,“andleaveitonthetable.
Thenperhapsthepersonwhotakesthethingsawaywilltakeit,too.Iwon’taskhimanything.
Hewon’tmindmythankinghim,Ifeelsure.”
Soshewroteanote.Thisiswhatshesaid:
IhopeyouwillnotthinkitisimpolitethatIshouldwritethisnotetoyouwhenyouwishtokeepyourselfasecret.
PleasebelieveIdonotmeantobeimpoliteortrytofindoutanythingatall;onlyIwanttothankyouforbeingsokindtome—soheavenlykind—andmakingeverythinglikeafairystory.
Iamsogratefultoyou,andIamsohappy—andsoisBecky.
BeckyfeelsjustasthankfulasIdo—itisalljustasbeautifulandwonderfultoherasitistome.
Weusedtobesolonelyandcoldandhungry,andnow—oh,justthinkwhatyouhavedoneforus!Pleaseletmesayjustthesewords.ItseemsasifIoughttosaythem.Thankyou—thankyou—thankyou!
TheLittleGirlintheAttic.
Thenextmorningsheleftthisonthelittletable,andintheeveningithadbeentakenawaywiththeotherthings;sosheknewtheMagicianhadreceivedit,andshewashappierforthethought.
ShewasreadingoneofhernewbookstoBeckyjustbeforetheywenttotheirrespectivebeds,whenherattentionwasattractedbyasoundattheskylight.
WhenshelookedupfromherpageshesawthatBeckyhadheardthesoundalso,asshehadturnedherheadtolookandwaslisteningrathernervously.
“Something’sthere,miss,”shewhispered.
“Yes,”saidSara,slowly.“Itsounds—ratherlikeacat—tryingtogetin.”
Sheleftherchairandwenttotheskylight.
Itwasaqueerlittlesoundsheheard—likeasoftscratching.
Shesuddenlyrememberedsomethingandlaughed.
Sherememberedaquaintlittleintruderwhohadmadehiswayintotheatticoncebefore.
Shehadseenhimthatveryafternoon,sittingdisconsolatelyonatablebeforeawindowintheIndiangentleman’shouse.
“Suppose,”shewhisperedinpleasedexcitement—”justsupposeitwasthemonkeywhogotawayagain.Oh,Iwishitwas!”
Sheclimbedonachair,verycautiouslyraisedtheskylight,andpeepedout.
Ithadbeensnowingallday,andonthesnow,quitenearher,crouchedatiny,shiveringfigure,whosesmallblackfacewrinkleditselfpiteouslyatsightofher.
“Itisthemonkey,”shecriedout.“HehascreptoutoftheLascar’sattic,andhesawthelight.”
Beckyrantoherside.
“Areyougoingtolethimin,miss?”shesaid.
“Yes,”Saraansweredjoyfully.“It’stoocoldformonkeystobeout.They’redelicate.I’llcoaxhimin.”
Sheputahandoutdelicately,speakinginacoaxingvoice—asshespoketothesparrowsandtoMelchisedec—asifsheweresomefriendlylittleanimalherself.
“Comealong,monkeydarling,”shesaid.“Iwon’thurtyou.”
Heknewshewouldnothurthim.Heknewitbeforeshelaidhersoft,caressinglittlepawonhimanddrewhimtowardsher.
HehadfelthumanloveintheslimbrownhandsofRamDass,andhefeltitinhers.
Heletherlifthimthroughtheskylight,andwhenhefoundhimselfinherarmshecuddleduptoherbreastandlookedupintoherface.
“Nicemonkey!Nicemonkey!”shecrooned,kissinghisfunnyhead.“Oh,Idolovelittleanimalthings.”
Hewasevidentlygladtogettothefire,andwhenshesatdownandheldhimonherkneehelookedfromhertoBeckywithmingledinterestandappreciation.
“Heisplain-looking,miss,ain’the?”saidBecky.
“Helookslikeaveryuglybaby,”laughedSara.
“Ibegyourpardon,monkey;butI’mgladyouarenotababy.
Yourmothercouldn’tbeproudofyou,andnoonewoulddaretosayyoulookedlikeanyofyourrelations.Oh,Idolikeyou!”
Sheleanedbackinherchairandreflected.
“Perhapshe’ssorryhe’ssougly,”shesaid,“andit’salwaysonhismind.Iwonderifhehasamind.Monkey,mylove,haveyouamind?”
Butthemonkeyonlyputupatinypawandscratchedhishead.
“Whatshallyoudowithhim?”Beckyasked.
“Ishalllethimsleepwithmetonight,andthentakehimbacktotheIndiangentlemantomorrow.
Iamsorrytotakeyouback,monkey;butyoumustgo.
Yououghttobefondestofyourownfamily;andI’mnotarealrelation.”
Andwhenshewenttobedshemadehimanestatherfeet,andhecurledupandsleptthereasifhewereababyandmuchpleasedwithhisquarters.
Share this article to
FINISH