A Little Princess / Маленькая принцесса. Книга для чтения на английском языке

The drawing room[17 - drawing room – гостиная] into which they were ushered was covered by a carpet with a square pattern upon it, the chairs were square, and a heavy marble timepiece stood upon the heavy marble mantel[18 - a heavy marble timepiece stood upon the heavy marble mantel – тяжелые мраморные часы стояли на массивной мраморной каминной полке].

As she sat down in one of the stiff mahogany chairs, Sara cast one of her quick looks[19 - to cast a look – бросить взгляд] about her.

“I don’t like it, papa,” she said. “But then I dare say[20 - I dare say – осмелюсь сказать] soldiers – even brave ones – don’t really LIKE going into battle.”

Captain Crewe laughed outright at this. He was young and full of fun, and he never tired of hearing Sara’s queer speeches.

“Oh, little Sara,” he said. “What shall I do when I have no one to say solemn things to me? No one else is as solemn as you are.

”

“But why do solemn things make you laugh so?” inquired Sara.

“Because you are such fun when you say them,” he answered, laughing still more. And then suddenly he swept her into his arms and kissed her very hard, stopping laughing all at once and looking almost as if tears had come into his eyes.

It was just then that Miss Minchin entered the room. She was very like her house, Sara felt: tall and dull, and respectable and ugly. She had large, cold, fishy eyes, and a large, cold, fishy smile.

It spread itself into a very large smile[21 - It spread itself into a very large smile – Губы растянулись в очень широкой улыбке] when she saw Sara and Captain Crewe. She had heard a great many desirable things of the young soldier from the lady who had recommended her school to him. Among other things, she had heard that he was a rich father who was willing to spend a great deal of money[22 - a great deal of money – изрядное количество денег] on his little daughter.

“It will be a great privilege to have charge[23 - to have charge – присматривать] of such a beautiful and promising child, Captain Crewe,” she said, taking Sara’s hand and stroking it. “Lady Meredith has told me of her unusual cleverness. A clever child is a great treasure in an establishment like mine.”

Sara stood quietly, with her eyes fixed upon Miss Minchin’s face.