Sara had always been an annoying puzzle to her,because severity never made her cry or look frightened.When she was scolded she stood still and listened politely with a grave face;when she was punished she performed her extra tasks or went without her meals,making no complaint or outward sign of rebellion.The very fact that she never made an impudent answer seemed to Miss Minchin a kind of impudence in itself.But after yesterday's deprivation of meals,the violent scene of last night,the prospect of hunger today,she must surely have broken down.It would be strange indeed if she did not come downstairs with pale cheeks and red eyes and an unhappy,humbled face.
Miss Minchin saw her for the first time when she entered the schoolroom to hear the little French class recite its lessons and superintend its exercises.And she came in with a springing step,color in her cheeks,and a smile hovering about the corners of her mouth.
It was the most astonishing thing Miss Minchin had ever known.
It gave her quite a shock.What was the child made of?What could such a thing mean?She called her at once to her desk.
"You do not look as if you realize that you are in disgrace,"
she said."Are you absolutely hardened?"
The truth is that when one is still a child--or even if one is grown up--and has been well fed,and has slept long and softly and warm;
when one has gone to sleep in the midst of a fairy story,and has wakened to find it real,one cannot be unhappy or even look as if one were;
and one could not,if one tried,keep a glow of joy out of one's eyes.
Miss Minchin was almost struck dumb by the look of Sara's eyes when she made her perfectly respectful answer.
"I beg your pardon,Miss Minchin,"she said;"I know that I am in disgrace."
"Be good enough not to forget it and look as if you had come into a fortune.It is an impertinence.And remember you are to have no food today."
"Yes,Miss Minchin,"Sara answered;but as she turned away her heart leaped with the memory of what yesterday had been.
"If the Magic had not saved me just in time,"she thought,"how horrible it would have been!"
"She can't be very hungry,"whispered Lavinia."Just look at her.
Perhaps she is pretending she has had a good breakfast"--with a spiteful laugh.
"She's different from other people,"said Jessie,watching Sara with her class."Sometimes I'm a bit frightened of her."
"Ridiculous thing!"ejaculated Lavinia.
All through the day the light was in Sara's face,and the color in her cheek.The servants cast puzzled glances at her,and whispered to each other,and Miss Amelia's small blue eyes wore an expression of bewilderment.What such an audacious look of well-being,under august displeasure could mean she could not understand.
It was,however,just like Sara's singular obstinate way.
She was probably determined to brave the matter out.
One thing Sara had resolved upon,as she thought things over.
The wonders which had happened must be kept a secret,if such a thing were possible.If Miss Minchin should choose to mount to the attic again,of course all would be discovered.But it did not seem likely that she would do so for some time at least,unless she was led by suspicion.Ermengarde and Lottie would be watched with such strictness that they would not dare to steal out of their beds again.
Ermengarde could be told the story and trusted to keep it secret.
If Lottie made any discoveries,she could be bound to secrecy also.
Perhaps the Magic itself would help to hide its own marvels.
"But whatever happens,"Sara kept saying to herself all day--"WHATEVER happens,somewhere in the world there is a heavenly kind person who is my friend--my friend.If I never know who it is--if I never can even thank him--I shall never feel quite so lonely.Oh,the Magic was GOOD to me!"
If it was possible for weather to be worse than it had been the day before,it was worse this day--wetter,muddier,colder.
There were more errands to be done,the cook was more irritable,and,knowing that Sara was in disgrace,she was more savage.
But what does anything matter when one's Magic has just proved itself one's friend.Sara's supper of the night before had given her strength,she knew that she should sleep well and warmly,and,even though she had naturally begun to be hungry again before evening,she felt that she could bear it until breakfast-time on the following day,when her meals would surely be given to her again.It was quite late when she was at last allowed to go upstairs.She had been told to go into the schoolroom and study until ten o'clock,and she had become interested in her work,and remained over her books later.
When she reached the top flight of stairs and stood before the attic door,it must be confessed that her heart beat rather fast.
"Of course it MIGHT all have been taken away,"she whispered,trying to be brave."It might only have been lent to me for just that one awful night.But it WAS lent to me--I had it.
It was real."
She pushed the door open and went in.Once inside,she gasped slightly,shut the door,and stood with her back against it looking from side to side.
The Magic had been there again.It actually had,and it had done even more than before.The fire was blazing,in lovely leaping flames,more merrily than ever.A number of new things had been brought into the attic which so altered the look of it that if she had not been past doubting she would have rubbed her eyes.Upon the low table another supper stood--this time with cups and plates for Becky as well as herself;a piece of bright,heavy,strange embroidery covered the battered mantel,and on it some ornaments had been placed.
