Kitabı oku: «A Little Princess / Маленькая принцесса. А1», sayfa 8

“What is your name?” she said friendly.

“My name's Ermengarde St. John,” she answered. She was surprised that the new pupil was talking to her.

“Mine is Sara Crewe,” said Sara. “Yours is very pretty. It sounds like a story book.”

“You can speak French, can't you?” Ermengarde said politely.

“I can speak it because I heard it all my life,” she answered. “You can speak it when you always hear it.”

“Oh, no, I couldn't,” said Ermengarde sadly. “I never could speak it!”

She paused a moment.

“You are clever, aren't you?” she added with a touch of awe in her voice.

“I don't know,” Sara said. “I can't tell.”

She gave a little laugh and changed the subject.

“Do you want to go in my room to play?” she asked.

“Sure,” said Ermengarde.

They jumped down from the window-seat together, and went upstairs.

“Is it true,” Ermengarde whispered-“is it true that you have a playroom only for you?”

“Yes,” Sara answered. “Papa asked Miss Minchin give me one. When I play I make up stories and tell them to myself, and I don't like people to hear me. The story becomes bad when people listen.”

“You make up stories!” she gasped. “Can you do that-as well as speak French? Can you?”

Sara looked at her in simple surprise.

“Why, anyone can make up things,” she said.

She put her hand warningly on Ermengarde's.

“Let us go very quietly to the door,” she whispered mysteriously, “and then I will open it quite suddenly; perhaps we may catch her.”