The Little Princess Page #4

And this from the entire school.|Here are pictures of your native India.

Oh thank-you ever and ever so much. I|shouldn't have to pretend nearly so hard|when I want to make believe I'm there.

-And now, would you like them to have|their presents. - Yes, if you please.|And your names are all on them.

Here you are Miss Rose. Oh, how nice.|Now would you help with the other presents?

- Here you are Miss Rose. Oh, how nice.|Now would you help with the other presents?|- Oh how thoughtful Sara.

From one old trooper to another.|Me in younger and happier days.|I was better known as Bobbling Bertie.

- Thank-you. We'd better keep this|present a secret.|- Mums the word.

-Here this is from me. I hope you like it.|-It's just what I wanted.

Mums the word you know.

Here's my present Miss. Many|Happy Returns.

- Oh thank-you Becky.|- The material isn't new.

-Why you dear Becky, you made it all yourself.|- Yes Miss. I made it at nights.

I knew you could pretend, I said,|with diamond pins stuck in.

- It's beautiful Becky, I shall love it.|Oh will you Miss?|- The material isn't all new.

- And this isn't so very new either.|- It's my present to you.

- Yes Becky, with my love.|- What is it Miss?

It's a scarab from Egypt. My daddy|gave it to me, because it brings good luck.

I'd rather you had it, than anyone|else I know.

- Oh my Miss. I think I'm going to faint.|- Oh no Becky! Not now.

I have lots more presents for you.|Two in my room.

-I don't know what to say Miss.|- You're sweet Becky.

Yes, yes, very nice.

- eg your pardon Miss. Yes? Mr. Barrow of|Barrow and Skippo is here to see you.|- Today? I didn't send for him.

He seems very much upset about|something. He's waiting in your office.

-Miss Rose.|- The scarf is beautiful.

Miss Rose, remember to be sure|and tell me when it's almost 2 o'clock.

You know, I have a very special|appointment with my daddy. He's|going to be thinking of me at exactly 2.

- I'll watch the time. Thank-you Miss Rose.|- Oh Sara! Thank-you for the|handkerchiefs, they're lovely.

- Don't you think it's time to cut the cake?|-Oh yes, the cake!

- Please be seated Mr. Barrow.|- How much did you advance for|this party? Quite a sum, I suspect.

What does it matter. Captain Crew|is a very wealthy man. His check|will be here shortly.

- No Miss Minchin. There'll be no check.|- What? What do you mean by that?

The late Captain Crew..... The|"late" Captain Crew?!

Captain Crew is dead. He was so|reported in the list this morning.|Moreover, he died bankrupt

-Bankrupt?! But his property, his mines.|- His property and mines were|confiscated by the enemy.

You mean to tell me that that child|is penniless? That she's left on my|hands with nothing?

She's certainly left penniless and|she's certainly left on your hands.

- She hasn't a relative in the world that we know of.|- But her father's account is overdrawn.

I was expecting a check, and|advanced the money for this party.|So I understand.

Now you have to make a wish and|blow out all the candles with one breath.

My wish is that my father will come|back real soon.

Now take a big breath.

I haven't got very good lungs, have I?

-I'll turn her out on the streets|-Do you think that's wise Miss|Minchin. The reputation of your school.

My school?

Well the report might get about and|it might not sound well to the|parents of your other pupils.

Yes, that is so.

Of course, the child can be made to|serve in your employ, until her|indebtedness is worked out.

- But that will take years.|- Quite so, but at least it is better|than nothing.

Hurry children, your ice-cream is melting.

- Tara, it's almost 2 o'clock darling.|- Thank-you Miss Rose.

Oh daddy, I'm thinking of you.

And I know, wherever you are,|you're thinking of me too.

Oh Miss Rose. I felt him with me,|I really did!

Miss Minchin wants you dear. Oh,|all right.

- Children, you will leave your gifts here.|- Why? Where are they going?

-Why can't they take the presents with them?|- Because they are not yours to give.

- But I don't understand.|- You will later. Go to your room now.

- But Miss Minchin.|- Sara, go to your room.

All of you.

Now will you tell her what it's all about? What|has happened Miss Minchin? Whatever it is,|you may want to let her off a bit easier.

Silence! Captain Crew is dead. His|name appeared on the list today.

He left the child a pauper. Oh Miss|Minchin. You had better tell her.

- Oh, I couldn't do that.|- You will do as you are told.

Oh Miss Rose. What's wrong?|Why did Miss Minchin stop the party?

Sara, I want to talk to you dear.

- Oh darling........|-Oh Miss Rose! What is it?

Sara, you're a soldier's daughter.....

.....and you know that means being|brave and courageous, don't you?|No matter what happens.

- Oh Miss Rose! Is it something awful?|- Your father.....

But my father is all right. Mafeking|is set free. You heard them say so.

Help didn't get there soon enough|dear, for him. His name appeared|on the list this morning.

- You mean with the wounded?|- No dear.

My daddy is...

Oh Sara, I'm so sorry.

It can't be! It isn't true! I won't|believe it! He isn't dead! He isn't!

- Have you?|- Yes.

You may go.

You may go.

Come with me.

This is to be your room in the future.

I shall have to sell your furnishings|and clothes, to pay part of the debt|your father owes.

Ordinarily, you would go to a|charitable institution, but I'm going|to let you remain here.

There will be duties for you to|perform, of course.

I hope you appreciate my kindness|in not sending you away.

I was unable to fi nd a black dress|among your things, but one of the|girls has given you this.

You'd better take off that party frock|and put this on.

I'll send up some shoes.

I don't believe it. I don't, I don't!

My daddy has to go away. But he'll|return most any day.

Any moment I may see, my daddy|coming back to me.

And Miss Minchin is going to sell all|her things.

- It was beastly having to give back|all our presents.|- How do you feel now about your little Princess?

- Oh Miss. Is there anything I can|do?|- No Becky, but thank-you.

Sara, I'm sorry.

Sara, from now on, you are not to|sit with us. Return to your room|and smooth down those curls.

And then go to the kitchen. Run|along now.

Lavina, you may take your old|place, beside me.

- Mrs. O'Connel.|- Oh, so the Misses has sent you|down to me, has she?

- Miss Minchin said that I am to have my|breakfast here. - You'll do more than eat|your breakfast if you work for that one.

- I should be glad to help.|- You will eh?

Look at you! Look what you're|doing! For that you'll get no breakfast.

Min, you'd better make some more|toast for the Misses. Right.

Here's your breakfast. Take it over|there. We don't associate with royality.

- Let me wait on you Miss. No you don't.|- She can wait on herself. You can|sit there and watch her eat.

Perhaps that will teach you a leson.

Please Mrs. O'Connel. May I give|my breakfast to Becky? I'm not that|hungry this morning.

Give it to the cat if you like. Then|get to work and wash them dishes.

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