The Little Princess Page #2

I will do it! I will! I'll pretend this is|part of a war.

You be the enemy and you'll be my|trusty lance. Now ready, aim, fi re.

I guess we'll have to call in the|reserves.

-Good-morning.|- Misses speaks Hindu?

I've lived in India all my life.

Misses is going to live in England now?

- Until my father gets through with|making the boars behave.|- Your father is a soldier?

Yes, my father is a captain. Captain|Crew. I'm Sara. What is your name?

I am Ram Dass. Servant to the|Honorable Lord Wickham and Lady Surani.

Ram Dass!

Why are you doddling here? Finish|with that bird and get on with your work.

Good-morning.

How do you do?

I'm up here at the window almost|every morning, in case you want to|talk about India.

Good-morning Sara. Oh, good-|morning. Are you ready for|breakfast my dear?

Well, I'm trying to be, but I don't|seem to be very good at these|buttons. My thumb get lost in the holes.

Here, let me help you. Buttons are|a bother, aren't they?

I've never had to button things|before, but I'll learn.

Here, put your shoe up. Come in.

- Good-morning Becky.|- Good-morning.

- Has the young lady any boots to be done?|- Well, only the pair I wore|yesterday, I'll get them.

I'll get them Miss. Oh I beg your|pardon Miss!

- Are you hurt?|- No Miss you mustn't be helping me Miss.

- Just hold out your arms and I'll pile them on.|- Oh no Miss. If Miss Minchin was to see.....

- Think you can hold two more?|- Yes Miss.

There. There we are. Are you all right?

-You take care of all those?|- And she does them beautifully.

- I thank you Miss.|- Thank-you for doing my shoes.

- Oh, I'm sorry.|- That's all right.

Good-bye Becky. Good-bye.

Well, perhaps this isn't going to be|such a bad school after all. With|you and Becky here.

Oh, we'll have to hurry dear. Miss|Minchin doesn't like anyone to be late.

Tell me Miss Rose. Do you think|Miss Minchin could be as cross as she looks?

- What will I have to do today?|- Well, after breakfast, you'll have a|class of arithmatic.

Then English, then french, history|and geography.

I'm going to be a busy person,|aren't I? When do I get to ride my pony?

Later this afternoon. About 4 o'clock.

Children, our new pupil, Sara Crew|will be down shortly.

As you've seen, Captain Crew is a|very delightful man and their family|is most distinguished.

I should expect you to treat her accordingly.|Now you may take your places.

- Good-morning.|- Ah, good-morning Sara.

- I'm so happy you feel like joining|us this morning. Did you sleep well?|- No I didn't, thank-you.

Lavina, you and Jesse will move|down one place.

-Sara will be seated at my right after this.|- Why Miss Minchin, this has|always been my place.

For this food, and all thy bountiful|gifts bestowed upon us, we are duly|grateful and do now give thanks.

- Why are you putting salt on your plate my dear.|- Just in case you plan on asking|me to have one of your eggs.

- Mr. Geoffrey. Shall I saddle the pony for|the wee lassie? - I think not Sandy. We'd best|use the mare for her first few lessons.

What luck. The old girl allowed you|to come out.

Sara, this is Mr. Geoffrey Hamilton.|Miss Crew is our new pupil.

- How do you do?|- How do you do?

I believe I am to teach you to ride.|And that means two bob extra to me.

- Is two bob a great deal of money?|- Values are comparative.

-In my present state, it's a fortune.|- Well, in that case, I guess I'd|better be taught.

- Is my pony ready?|-I think we'd best start you off on|something a little tamer.

Then hadn't I better explain things|to my pony. He might feel hurt.

Right you are. Ponies are very sensitive creatures.|Explain the whole thing to him, thoroughly.|He's right there by the arch.

- It may take me some time. That's all right.|- We'll wait right here in the tac room.

Hello General.

Are you glad to see me?

Well if Mr. Geoffrey is going to give|me something tamer than you, I'm|afraid it's not going to be much of a ride.

- Rose something's wrong. What is it?|- Miss Minchin is taking away my|Thursday afternoons.

- But why?|- We must have been seen together.

- Well does that mean that I can never see you|alone again? Of course not darling. - No matter|what Miss Minchin says, we'll find a way.

I can't understand the woman.What|is she afraid of? Why shouldn't we|see one another.

Gossip I suppose. She only lives|for that school the variety of the|propriety of the snobbisheness.

Fiddlesticks. She's afraid of losing an excellent|teacher whom she gets for nothing. I won't|stand for it. I will have a talk with her myself.

No darling you mustn't do that.|She'd only discharge us both.

She may not have the chance if|things continue to pop in South Africa.

- You mean you might go?|- Wouldn't you want me to if they|call for volunteers?

Of course darling you'd have to.

There is nothing to worry about|now. This poor rumpous will never|get that serious.

I expect I'll have to make my visit a|little longer.

- Oh Mr. Brady is there one this|morning for the little princess?|- We'll see my child we shall see.

Of she don't hear from her father|every so often her eyes get that sad|it hurts me to look in them.

-Have no fear little one.|- There is a letter for her this time.|Oh i'm so glad sir.

-A letter?|- It's from my daddy.

-Oh how nice.|- But it isn't.

- It's very bad news. Really?|-What's the matter dear?

He says the boys are not behaving|as expeted. And he may not get|here in time for my birthday.

But that's months old. So many|things may happen before then.He|can still come.

I'm writing Miss Minchin to give you|ar bithday party such as I should|give you if I were there.

You are to go on a regular spree.|Buy anything and everthing your|heart desires.

Now last and most important of all|my darling....

...I want you to pause at exactly 2|o'clock on your birthday..

..close your eyes and send me a kiss.

For my eyes also will also be closed|and I'll be giving you a kiss too.

Isn't he the most wonderful man in|all the world?

- With one exception...|- Well Mr. Geoffrey is very nice.

What's that?

- Who are they Miss Rose?|- They are volunteers.

- Are they going to South Africa too?|- Yes dear, they're going to relieve|our poor soldiers in Maefking.

- Is there something the matter with|our soldiers in Mafeking?|- The boars have them all cut off.

We were unable to break through|their lines and ger help to them.

They're sick and hungry dear and|desprate. They're holding out like|true British soldiers.

Miss Rose my daddy's at Mafeking.

Oh darling I'm so sorry. I didn't know.

Darling you mustn't cry. I'm sure|he'll be all right.

- Good afternoon Mr. Geoffery.|- Good afternoon Madris. Is Miss|Sarah ready for her ride?

She'll be down presently. Thanks.

Oh, are we all ready?

The two most beautiful ladies in the|world. Why aren't you in your riding things?

- Oh i can't go today. Ermegard|needs extra tutoring today.|-Oh will it take all afternoon?

I'm afraid so.

- I have to stay with her until she|can spell Constantiniopel.|- Heavens that may take months.

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