She slid down from her chair, and stood solemnly before Miss Mason.
“I tank you bof ver’ much,” she said, with a quaint air of courtesy. “But now I put on zem tings and go back to Mrs. ’iggins.”
She smiled a brave little smile, sadder than any tears or protests.
Barnabas felt a sudden odd grip at his throat. Miss Mason spoke suddenly and firmly.
“No,” she said, “you are not going back to Mrs. Higgins.”
The child looked at her with wondering eyes.
“You mean——?” she said.
“That you are going to stay here with me,” said Miss Mason decisively. “Barnabas, you must help me to arrange it.”
The child’s face quivered.
“Oh!” she cried, with a laugh that held a sob, “I tink I like dat Princess. She sleep and sleep, and she wake up when ze Prince kiss her, and ze world all ver’ ’appy. And I so ’appy just all ze same, wisout no Prince kiss me.”