A Little Princess, Part 11 of 15

Thanks for coming tonight. Before we get stuck in, did you know you can listen to the sleepy bookshelf ad-free by joining our premium feed? You'll also get exclusive bonus episodes and a seven day free trial, so you can decide whether you like it or not. Follow the link in the show notes to learn more. This Ramadan, the first plate isn't for you. It's passed across the table. And when the first bite is for someone else, what you cook with matters. V.T. Mega Basmati Extra Long Premium Rice. Chosen for its quality. Extra Long Grains. Soft Dexter in every dish. And chosen for moments that matter. V.T. Mega Basmati Extra Long Premium Rice. Made for sharing. Hey, it's Thomas here. I'm the host of Get Sleepy, another sleep inducing podcast from the Samba Studios Network. On Get Sleepy, you'll find hundreds of original bedtime stories and meditations to fall asleep to. Some of our listener favourites are our trips to the rainy day bakery, our Sleepy History series, and our adaptations of classic tales like Beauty and the Beast. Everything is designed with your sleep in mind. So if you're looking for another great way to ease into a restful night's Samba, then just search for Get Sleepy on your favourite podcast player. I'll see you there, my friends. Good evening and welcome to the Sleepy Bookshel where we put down our worries from the day and pick up a good book. I'm Elizabeth, your host. It is so lovely to have you here with me tonight. This evening we are returning to a little princess, but first close your eyes and take a deep, slow breath in. Then exhale, letting go of the day's weight. Take to yourself lying in a calm, serene space, soft, cool sheets around you, the world outside, quiet and distant. With each breath you feel your body sinking deeper into relaxation. As if the bed is gently holding you, supporting you. Let the tension in your body melt away starting from your feet and rising slowly through your legs, your torso and your shoulders, feeling your mind quiet like the last traces of daylight fading into night. The winter set in colder than ever in the attic and Sarah tried to teach Becky to use her imagination to take her mind off how she was feeling. She used this herself, one particular day when she was supposing she was in warm, dry clothes, approaching a baker's shop and that she'd found a six pence on the floor and could buy six, hot, one penny buns to eat all to herself. She was then amazed as just as she was crossing the road right before the baker's shop, she found not her six pence but her four pence. And as she went to go inside, she noticed a little beggar girl shivering in wet rags. Sarah asks the baker first if she had lost any pennies but she advised Sarah that if she had found it, she should keep it. Then Sarah asked for the four buns and the baker popped an extra two in the bag. Sarah gave the little girl five and kept just one for herself. Noticing this, the baker came out to inquire of the child who the girl was and invited the fallon little thing inside to get warm, telling her she was always welcome to come in for bread if she hadn't eaten. As she entered the square, Sarah spotted the father of the large family, climbing into a brown, being waived off by his children. He was going to Moscow on behalf of his friend Mr. Carisford from India to search for a little girl. What Sarah didn't know was the little girl had belonged to Captain Crew. Tonight, Sarah's room gets a couple of visitors to Melkissadek surprise. So just lie back and relax as I turn to the next pages of a little princess. Chapter 14 What Melkissadek heard and saw On this very afternoon, while Sarah was out, a strange thing happened in the attic. Only Melkissadek saw and heard it and he was so much alarmed and mystified that he scuttled back to his hall and hid there and really quaked and trembled as he peeped out furtively and with great caution to watch what was going on. The attic had been very still all the day after Sarah had left it in the early morning. The stillness had only been broken by the pattering of the rain upon the slates and the skylight. Melkissadek had in fact found it rather dull and when the rain ceased to patter and perfect silence rained. He decided to come out and reconnater, though experienced taught him that Sarah would not return for some time. He had been rambling and sniffing about and to just found a totally unexpected and unexplained crumb left from his last meal when his attention was affected by a sound on the roof. He stopped to listen with a palpitating heart. The sound suggested that something was moving on the roof. It was approaching the skylight. It reached the skylight. The skylight was being mysteriously opened. A face peered into the attic, then another face appeared behind it and both looked in with signs of caution and interest. Two men were outside on the roof and were making silent preparations to enter through the skylight itself. One was round us and the other was a young man who was the Indian gentleman's secretary. But of course, Melkissadek did not know this. He only knew that the men were invading the silence and privacy of the attic. And as the first one let himself down through the aperture with such lightness and dexterity that he did not make the slightest sound. Melkissadek turned tail and fled precipitantly back to his hole. He was frightened to death. He had ceased to be timid with Sarah and knew she would never throw anything but crumbs and would never make any sound other than the soft, low, coaxing whistling. But strange men were dangerous things to remain near. He lay close and flat near the entrance of his home, just managing to peep through the crack with a bright, alarmed eye. How much he understood of the talk he heard I am not in the least able to say. But even if he had understood it all, he would probably have remained greatly mystified. The secretary who was a light and young slipped through the skylight as noiselessly as Ramdas had done and he caught a last glimpse of Melkissadek's vanishing tail. Was that a rat? He asked Ramdas in a whisper. Yes, a rat sahib. And said Ramdas, also whispering. There are many hidden in the walls. Ah, exclaimed the young man. Tissot wandered the child, it is not terrified of them. Ramdas made a gesture with his hands. He also smiled respectfully. He was in this place as the intimate exponent of Sarah, though she had only spoken to him once. The child is the little friend of all things sahib. He answered, she is not as other children. I see her when she does not see me. I slip across the slates and look at her many nights to see that she is safe. I watch her from my window and she does not know I am near. She stands on the table there and looks out at the sky as if it spoke to her. The sparrows come at her call. The rat she has fed and tamed in her loneliness. The poor slave of the house comes to have comfort. There is a little child who comes to her in secret. There is one older who worships her and would listen to her forever if she might. This I have seen when I have crept across the roof. By the mistress of the house, who is an evil woman, she is treated like a pariah, but she has the bearing of a child who is the blood of kings. You seem to know a great deal about her. The secretary said, all her life each day I know. And said Ram Das, her going out I know and her coming in, her sadness and her poor joys, her coldness and her hunger. I know when she is all alone until midnight learning from her books. I know when her secret friends steal to her and she is happier as children can be even in the midst of poverty, because they come and she may laugh and talk with them in whispers. If she were ill, I should know and I would come and serve her if it might be done. You are sure no one comes near this place but herself and that she will not return and surprise us. If she would be frightened if she found us here and the Saheb Carisford's plan would be spoiled. Ram Das crossed, noiselessly to the door and stood close to it. No one mount here but herself Saheb. He said, she has gone out with her basket and may be gone for hours. If I stand here, I can hear any steps before it reaches the flasked flight of stairs. The Secretary took a pencil and a tablet from his breast pocket. Keep your ears open. He said and he began to walk slowly and softly, round the miserable little room, making rapid notes on his tablet as he looked at things. First, he went to the narrow bed. He pressed his hand upon the mattress and uttered an exclamation. As hard as stone, he said, that will have to be altered someday when she is out. A special journey can be made to bring it across. Cannot be done tonight. He lifted the covering and examined the one thin pillow. Covered it, dingy and worn. Lanket, thin, sheets patched and ragged. He said, what a bed for a child to sleep in and in a house which calls itself respectable. There has not been a fire in that great for many a day, glancing at the rusty fireplace. Never since I have seen it, said Ram Das. The mistress of the house is not one who remembers that another than herself may be called. The secretary was writing quickly on his tablet. He looked up from it as he tore off a leaf and slipped it into his breast pocket. There's a strange way of doing the thing. He said, who planned it? Ram Das made a modestly apologetic abasance. It is true that the first thought it was mind-save. He said, though it was not but a fancy, I am fond of this child. We are both lonely. It is her way to relate her visions to her secret friends. Being sad one night, I lay close to the open skylight and listened. The vision she related told what this miserable room might be if it had comforts in it. She seemed to see it as she talked and she grew cheer and warmed as she spoke. Then she came to this fancy and the next day the Sahiba being ill and wretched. I told him of the thing to amuse him. It seemed then but a dream but it pleased the Sahiba. To hear the child's doings gave him entertainment. He became interested in her and asked questions. At last, he began to please himself with the thought of making her visions real things. You think that it can be done while she sleeps? Suppose she awakened, suggested the secretary and it was evident that what so ever the plan referred to was it had caught and pleased his fancy as well as the Sahiba carousel. I can move as if my feet were velvet. Bram Das replied and children sleep soundly, even the unhappy ones. I could have entered this room in the night many times and without causing her to turn upon her pillow. If the other bearer passes to me the things through the window, I can do all and she will not stir. When she awakens, she will think a magician has been there. He smiled as if his heart warmed under his white robe and the secretary smiled back at him. It would be like the story from the Arabian Nights, he said, ultimately an oriental could have planted. It does not belong to London Fox. They did not remain very long to the great relief of Malchistadak who as he probably did not comprehend their conversation felt their movements and whispers ominous. The young secretary seemed interested in everything. He wrote down things about the floor, the fireplace, the broken foot stall, the old table, the walls which last he touched with his hand again and again, seeming much pleased when he found that a number of old nails had been driven in various places. He could hang things on them, he said. Ramed us, smiled mysteriously. Yesterday when she was out, I entered, bringing with me small sharp nails which can be pressed into the wall without blows from a hammer. I placed many in the plunder where I need them. They are ready. The Indian gentleman's secretary stood still and looked round him as he thrust his tablets back into his pocket. I think I have made enough notes. We can go now. He said, the Saheep Carisford has a warm heart. It is a thousand pities that he has not found the lost child. If he found her, his strength would be restored to him, said Ramed us. His god may lead her to him yet. Then they slipped through the skylight as noiselessly as they had entered it. And after he was quite sure they had gone, Malkisadak was greatly relieved and in the course of a few minutes felt it safe to emerge from his whole again and scuffle about. In the hope that even such alarming human beings as these might have chanced to carry crumbs in their pockets and drop on all two of them. Chapter 15 The Magic When Sarah had passed the house next door, she had seen Ramed us closing the shutters and caught her glimpse of this room also. It is a long time since I saw a nice place from the inside was the thought which crossed her mind. There was the usual bright fire glowing in the great and the Indian gentleman was sitting before it. His head was resting in his hand and he looked as lonely and unhappy as ever. Poor man said Sarah. I wonder what she was supposing. And this was what he was supposing at that very moment. And Supposed he was thinking, suppose even if Carmichael traces the people to Moscow, the little girl they took from Madempa Scal's school in Paris is not the one we are in search of. Suppose she proves to be quite a different child. What step shall I take next? When Sarah went into the house, she met Miss Minchin who had come downstairs to scald the cook. Where have you wasted your time? She demanded. You have been out for hours. It was so wet and muddy. Sarah answered. It was hard to walk because my shoes were so bad and slipped about. Mick, no excuses. Said Miss Minchin and tell no false words. Sarah went into the cook. The cook had received a severe lecture and was in a fearful tempers as a result. She was only too rejoiced to have someone to vent her rage on. And Sarah was a convenience as usual. Why didn't you stay all night? She snapped. Sarah laid her purchases on the table. You're with her things. She said. The cook looked the mower grumbling. She was in a very savage humour indeed. May I have something to eat? Sarah asked rather faintly. Taze over and done with life. Was the answer. Did you expect me to keep it up for you? Sarah stood silent for a second. I heard no dinner. She said next and her voice was quite low. She made it low because she was afraid it would tremble. Oh, there's some bread in the pantry. Said the cook. That's all you'll get at this time a day. Sarah went and found the bread. It was old and hard and dry. The cook was in too vicious a humour to give her anything to eat it with. It was always safe and easy to vent her spite on Sarah. Really it was hard for the child to climb the three long flights of stairs leading to her attic. She often found them long and steep when she was tired. But tonight it seemed as if she would never reach the top. Several times she was obliged to stop and rest. When she reached the top landing she was glad to see the glimmer of a light coming from under her door. That meant that Irmengard had managed to creep up and pay her a visit. There was some comfort in that. It was better than to go into the room alone and find it empty and desolate. The mere presence of plump, comfortable Irmengard wrapped in her red shawl would warm it a little. Yes, there Irmengard was when she opened the door. She was sitting in the middle of the bed with her feet tucked safely under her. She had never become intimate with Melchizedek in his family, though they rather fascinated her. When she found herself alone in the attic she always preferred to sit on the bed until Sarah arrived. She had in fact on this occasion had time to become rather nervous because Melchizedek had appeared and sniffed about a good deal. And once had made her utter, repressed squeal by sitting up on his hind legs. And while he looked at her, sniffing pointedly in her direction. Oh Sarah, she cried out. I am glad you have come. Melchizedek would sniff about so. I tried to coax him to go back but he wouldn't for such a long time. I like him you know but he does frighten me when he sniffs right at me. Do you think he ever would jump? No, Aunt Sid Sarah. Irmengard crawled forward on the bed to look at her. You do look tired Sarah. She said, you are quite pale. I am tired. Sid Sarah dropping onto the lopsided footstool. Oh that is Melchizedek. Poor thing. He has come to ask for his supper. Melchizedek had come out of his hole as if he had been listening for her footstep. Sarah was quite sure he knew it. He came forward with an affectionate, expecting to express a Sarah put her hand in her pocket and turned it inside out, shaking her head. I am very sorry. She said, I have not worn crumb left. Go home Melchizedek and tell your wife there was nothing in my pocket. I am afraid I forgot because the cook and mismanching were so cross. Melchizedek seemed to understand. He shuffled residedly, if not contendedly, back to his home. He did not expect us you to tell me. Sarah said, Irmengard hugged herself in the red shawl. Miss Amelia has gone out to spend the night with her old aunt. She explained, no one else ever comes and looks into the bedrooms after we are in bed. I could stay here until morning if I wanted to. She pointed toward the table under the skylight. Sarah had not looked toward it as she came in. A number of books were piled upon it. Amengard's gesture was a dejected one. A pair sent me some more book, Sarah. She said, there they are. Sarah looked round and got up at once. She ran to the table and picked up the top volume, turned over its leaves quickly. For the moment she forgot her discomforts. Ah, she cried out. How beautiful. Carlyle's French Revolution, I so wanted to read that. I haven't said, Irmengard, and the power will be so cross if I don't. He'll expect me to know all about it when I go home for the holidays. What shall I do? Sarah stopped turning over the leaves and looked at her with an excited flush on her cheese. Look here, she cried. If you'll let me those books, I'll read them and I'll tell you everything that's in them afterward, and I'll tell it so that you remember it too. Oh, goodness! Exclaimed, Irmengard. Do you think you can? I know I can. Sarah answered. The little ones always remember when I tell them. Sarah said, Irmengard, hope, gleaming in her round face. If you'll do that and make me remember, I'll bug you anything. I don't want you to give me anything. Said Sarah, I want your books. I want them. And her eyes grew big, and her chest heaved. Take them, man. Said Irmengard, I wish I wanted them, but I don't. I'm not clever, and my father is, and he thinks I ought to be. Sarah was opening one book after the other. What are you going to tell your father? She asked a slight doubt dawning on her mind. Oh, he didn't know. Answered Irmengard, you'll think I've read them. Sarah put down her book and shook her head slowly. That's almost like telling lies, she said. And lies, well you see, they are not only wicked, they're vulgar. Sometimes, reflectively, I thought perhaps I might do something wicked. I might suddenly fly into a rage and kill mismention, you know, when she was ill-treating me. I couldn't be vulgar. Why can't you tell your father I read them? It wants me to read them. Said Irmengard, a little discouraged by this unexpected turn of affairs. He wants you to know what is in them, said Sarah. And if I can tell it to you in an easy way and make you remember it, I should think you would like that. He'll like it if I learn anything in any way, said Rufal Irmengard. You would if you were my father, but it's not your fault that began Sarah. She pulled herself up and stopped rather suddenly. She had been going to say it is not your fault that you are stupid. That what Irmengard asked? That you can't learn things quickly, amended Sarah. If you can't, you can't. If I can, why I can, that's all. She always felt very tender of Irmengard and tried not to let her feel too strongly the difference between being able to learn anything at once and not being able to learn anything at all. As she looked at her plump face, one of her wise, old-fashioned thoughts came to her. Perhaps she said, to be able to learn things quickly isn't everything. To be kind is worth a great deal to other people. If Miss Minchin knew everything on earth and was like what she is now, she'd still be a detestable thing and everybody would hate her. Lots of clever people have done harm and have been wicked. Look at Robespierre. She stopped and examined Irmengard's countenance, which was beginning to look bewildered. Don't you remember? She demanded. I told you about him not longer ago. I believe you've forgotten. Well, I don't remember all of it. Admit it, Irmengard. Well, you wait a minute. Said Sarah. And I'll take off my wet things and wrap myself in the coverlet and I'll tell you over again. She took off her hat and coat and hung them on a nail against the wall. And she changed her wet shoes for an old pair of slippers. Then she jumped on the bed and drawing the coverlet about her shoulders, sat with her arms round her knees. Now listen, she said. She plunged into the gory records of the French revolution and told such stories of it that Irmengard's eyes grew round with alarm and she held her breath. But though she was rather terrified, there was a delightful thrill in listening. And she was not likely to forget Robespierre again or to have any doubts about the princess de l'ambale. You know they put her head on a pike and danced round it. Sarah explained. And she had beautiful, floating blonde hair. And when I think of her, I never see her head on a body. But always on a pike with those furious people dancing and howling. It was agreed that Mr. St. John was to be told the plan they had made. And for the present, the books were to be left in the attic. Now, let's tell each other things. Said Sarah. How are you getting on with your French lessons? Ever so much better since the last time I came up here and you explained the conjugations? Miss Minchin could not understand why I did my exercises so well that first morning. Sarah laughed a little and hugged her knees. She doesn't understand why Lottie is doing her some so well. She said, it is because she creeps up here too and I help her. She glanced around the room. The attic would be rather nice if it wasn't so dreadful. She said laughing again. It's a good place to pretend in. The truth was that Ermungard did not know anything of the sometimes almost unbearable side of life in the attic. And she had not sufficiently vivid imagination to depict it for herself. On the rare occasions that she could reach Sarah's room, she only saw the side of it which was made exciting by things which were pretended and stories which were told. Her visits part took of the character of adventures and though sometimes Sarah looked rather pale and it was not to be denied that she had grown very thin. Her proud little spirit would not admit of complaints. She had never confessed but at times she was almost ravenous with hunger as she was tonight. She was growing rapidly and her constant walking and running about would have given her a keen appetite even if she had had abundant and regular meals of a much more nourishing nature than the unappetizing inferior food snatched at such odd times as suited for kitchen convenience. She was growing used to a certain no-ing feeling in her young stomach. I suppose soldiers feel like this when they are in a long and weary march. She often said to herself. She liked the sound of the phrase long and weary march. It made her feel rather like a soldier. She had also a quaint sense of being a hostess in the attic. If I lived in a castle she argued and Irmangard was the lady of another castle and came to see me with knights and squires and vassals riding with her and penins flying. When I heard the clarians sounding outside the drawbridge I should go down to receive her and I should spread feasts in the banquet hall and call in minstrels to sing and play and relate romances. When she comes into the attic I can't spread feasts but I can tell stories and not let her know disagreeable things. My daresay poor chattelains had to do that in a time of famine when their lands had been pillaged. She was a proud brave little chattelain and dispensed generously the one hospitality she could offer, the dreams she dreamed, the visions she saw, the imagining which were her joy and comfort. So as they sat together Irmangard did not know that she was faint as well as ravenous and that while she talked she now and then wondered if her hunger would let her sleep when she was left alone. She felt as if she had never been quite so hungry before. I wish I was as thin as you Sarah. Irmangard said suddenly, I believe you are thinner than you used to be, your eyes look so big and look at the sharp little bones sticking out of your elbow. Sarah pulled down her sleeve which had pushed itself up. I was always a thin child, she said bravely and I always had big green eyes. I love your queer eyes, said Irmangard looking into them with affectionate admiration. They always look as if they saw such a long way. I love them and I love them to be green though they look black generally. They are cat's eyes, laughed Sarah. But I can't see in the dark with them because I have tried and I couldn't. I wish I could. It was just at this minute that something happened at the skylight which neither of them saw. If either of them had chance to turn and look she would have been startled by the sight of her face which peered cautiously into the room and disappeared as quickly and almost as silently as it appeared. Not quite as silently however. Sarah who had keen ears suddenly turned a little and looked up at the roof. That didn't sound like Melchizedir. She said it wasn't scratchy enough. What? Said Irmangard a little startled. Didn't you think you heard something? Asked Sarah. No. Irmangard faulted. Did you? Hmm. Perhaps I didn't. Said Sarah. I thought I did. Sounded as if something was on the slate. Something that dragged softly. What could it be? Said Irmangard. Could it be... Robbers? Oh! Sarah began cheerfully. There is nothing to steal. She broke off in the middle of her words. They both heard the sound that checked her. It was not on the slates but on the stairs below. And it was Miss Munchen's angry voice. Sarah sprang off the bed and put out the candle. She's scalding Becky. She whispered as she stood in the darkness. She's making her cry. Well she come in here. Irmangard whispered back. Panic stricken. No. She will think I am in bed. Don't stare. It was very seldom that Miss Munchen mounted the last flight of stairs. Sarah could only remember that she had done it once before. But now she was angry enough to be coming at least part of the way up. And it sounded as if she was driving Becky before her. You impudent, dishonest child. They heard her say. Cook tells me she has missed things repeatedly. To Aunt May mum. Said Becky sobbing. I was angry enough but it's what may never. You deserve to be sent to prison. Said Miss Munchen's voice. Picking and stealing. Half a meat pie indeed. To Aunt May. Wept Becky. I could have eaten an olin. I never laid a finger on it. Miss Munchen was out of breath between temper and mounting the stairs. The meat pie had been intended for her special late supper. It became apparent that she boxed Becky's ears. Don't tell falsehoods. She said, go to your room this instant. Both Sarah and Irmengard heard the slap. Then heard Becky run in her slip-shod shoes up the stairs and into her attic. They heard her door shut and knew that she threw herself upon her bed. You could have eaten two of them. They heard her crying to her pillow. And I never took a bite. To his cook gave me to her police man. Sarah stood in the middle of the room in the darkness. She was clenching her little teeth and opening and shutting fiercely her outstretched hands. She could scarcely stand still but she dared not move until Miss Munchen had gone down the stairs and all was still. Oh the wicked, crawl thing. She burst forth. The cook takes things herself and then says Becky steals them. She doesn't. She doesn't. She's so hungry sometimes that she eats crusts out of the ash barrel. She pressed her hands hard against her face and burst into passionate little sobs. And ermon guard, hearing this unusual thing was overhauled by it. Sarah was crying. The unconquerable Sarah. It seemed to denote something new. Some mood she had never known. Suppose. Suppose a new, dread possibility presented itself to her kind. Slow little mind all at once. She crept off the bed in the dark and found her way to the table where the candle stood. She struck a match and lit the candle. When she had lighted it she bent forward and looked at Sarah with her new thought growing to definite fear in her eyes. Sarah. She said in a timid, almost awestric and voice. Oh, you never told me. I don't want to be rude but, are you ever hungry? It was too much just at that moment. The barrier broke down. Sarah lifted her face from her hands. Yes. She said in a new, passionate way. Yes, I am. I'm so hungry now that I could almost eat you. And it makes it worse to hear poor Becky. She's hungryer than I am. Ermon guard, gasped. Oh, oh. She cried woefully. I'd I never knew. I didn't want you to know. Sarah said. It would have made me feel like a street beggar. I know I look like a street beggar. No, no, you don't, you don't. Ermon guard broke in. Your clothes are a little queer but you couldn't look like a street beggar. You haven't a street beggar face. Little boy once gave me a six-pence for charity. Said Sarah with a short little laugh in spite of herself. Here it is. And she pulled out the thin ribbon from her neck. He wouldn't have given me his Christmas six-pence if I hadn't looked as if I needed it. Somehow, the sight of the dear little six-pence was good for both of them. It made them laugh a little, though they both had tears in their eyes. Who was he? Asked Ermon guard, looking at it quite as if it had not been a mere ordinary silver six-pence. He was a darling little thing going to a party. Said Sarah. He was one of the large family. The little one with the round legs. The one I called Guy Clarence. Supposed his nursery was crammed with Christmas presents and hamper's foot of cakes and things. He could see I had nothing. Ermon guard gave a little jump backward. The last sentences had recalled something to her troubled mind and given her a sudden inspiration. Oh, Sarah! She cried. What a silly thing I am not to have thought of it. Of what? Something splendid. Said Ermon guard in an excited hurry. This very afternoon, my nicest aunt sent me a box. It is full of good things. And I never touched it. I had so much pudding at dinner and I was so bothered about the past books. Her words began to tumble over each other. It's got cake in it. And it'll meet pies and jam tarts and buns. And the orange isn't red, current wine. And figs and chocolate. I'll creep back to my room and get it this minute. And we'll eat it now. Sarah almost reeled. When one is faint with hunger the mention of food has sometimes a curious effect. She clutched Ermon guard's arm. Do you think you could? She ejaculated. I know I could. Answered Ermon guard and she ran to the door. Opened it softly. Put her head out into the darkness and listened. Then she went back to Sarah. The lights are out. Everybody's in bed. I can creep and creep and no one will hear. It was so delightful that they caught each other's hands and a sudden light sprang into Sarah's eyes. Ernie. She said. Let us pretend. Let us pretend it's a party. And I want you to invite the prisoner in the next cell. Yes, yes. Let us knock on the wall now. The jailer won't hear. Sarah went to the wall. Through it she could hear poor Becky crying more softly. She knocked four times. That means come to me through the secret passage under the wall. She explained I have something to communicate. Five quick knocks answered her. She's coming. She said. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. 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I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell. I'm going to get the prisoner in the next cell.