“At least I both want to slap you—and I should LIKE to slap you—but I WON’T slap you. We are not little gutter children. We are both old enough to know better.”

Here was Lavinia’s opportunity.

“Ah, yes, your royal highness,” she said. “We are princesses, I believe. At least one of us is. The school ought to be very fashionable now Miss Minchin has a princess for a pupil.”

Sara started toward her. She looked as if she were going to box her ears. Perhaps she was. Her trick of pretending things


167 of 716

Sara heard; “I haven’t got any mam—ma-a!”

“Oh, Lottie!” screamed Miss Amelia. “Do stop, darling! Don’t cry! Please don’t!”

“Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!” Lottle howled tempestuously. “Haven’t- -got—any—mam—ma-a!”

“She ought to be whipped,” Miss Minchin proclaimed. “You SHALL be whipped, you naughty child!”

Lottle


167 of 1186