The Little Princess

Why are they sending so many soldiers daddy,

if it is only going to be a little war.

Make those southern boys take us seriously this time, my darlilng.

When they realize how much we want to put a stop to their nonsense, they'll quiet down.

They'd better. Anyhow, when you get there, you'll stop them won't you daddy?

I'll do my best dear.

We will miss you so.

I'll be back and we'll be together again before you can say knife.

I can say knife a good many times in a year.

At school, you'll have charming little girls to play with.....

books to read, a pony to ride and after all there will be Emily you know.

Yes, there will be Emily. And she does look as though

she'd be an understanding friend, don't you think daddy?

With that intelletual look, I'm sure of it.

- Not a very cheeful looking school, is it daddy? - I'm

afraid nothing would seem very cheerful to us at the moment.

Well, maybe it will be better on the inside.

- Of course it will. I'm sorry sir. - All right, get it out.

- The very idea of delivering a thing like this

to the front door. - Oh look daddy, my pony.

Your employer will answer to this. Now take him away. Yes, far away!

- Oh no daddy. - Oh, I say. Just a moment.

- You are Miss Minchin? - I am.

I'm Captain Crew.

I'm afraid of caused you no end to inconvenience.

You most certainly have, Captain Crew.

- May I step inside and explain? - Come in.

- Wait here, I'm returning. - Very well Captain.

- I'm terribly sorry. I had no intention of having the pony delivered

inside your house. - There are a number of things besides the pony.

Parcels have been arriving here collect for your daughter for hours. Follow me please.

Apparently you are not aware, Captain Crew, that I

conduct one of the most exclusive schools in London.

Yes, yes, I understood. That is precisely the

reason why I brought my daughter to you.

I would not have gathered that, by your actions.

Really now, I'm not entirely to blame.

You see Sara and I, only just arrived from India.

Sara has lived there practically all her life.

We no more than got here, when I learned that my regiment was

to leave at once for South Africa, so we had to act in a hurry.

But I wrote you and explained that l do not take young

ladies without an interview and impecable references.

I wrote you also, that at the moment, I have no vacant room.

- Well in that case daddy, we may as well move on. - This is a bit awkward.

You see, your letter never reached me and I'm afraid it never

occured to me that any school wouldn't welcome my little Sara.

If it is a question of my social standing, my father

was Sir George Crew. You've heard of him, perhaps?

And the best financial references l can give you would

be the director of the South African Holding Syndicate.

I'm the principal stockholder in the syndicate.

My brother, Captain Crew, a professor of dramatics.

- How do you do? - Charmed, I'm sure.

- I say, isn't the Eclipse Diamond mines one

of your holdings? - One of the most important.

I'm sorry to appear casual Miss Minchin, but the siutation is

quite distressing. I sail in an hour to the east Indian docks.

I expect you'll just have to take me to Africa with you daddy.

Well, well and what would a little girl like you do in Africa?

Forgive me Captain Crew. I'm afraid I've been over zealous. The

reputation of my school you know. One has to be so cautious.

But after this interview, I can see at a glance, she's a dear little child.

- It'll be a pleasure to have her with us. - Does that mean I've got to stay?

Yes dear. You are to have that privilege. You and your little pony.

- What a dear little pony. - This is made out

to the school. - Is it enough for the moment.

- Oh quite. - I should say it would. Why it's stupendous.

- I beg your pardon, but haven't I seen you

somewhere before? - Quite possible my dear Captain.

Your face is most familiar. Were you ever on the stage? I

seem to associate you with one of the old music halls.

Musicals? My brother on the stage? Ridiculous.

Ridiculous indeed, you're quite right.

And now, shall we look at little Sara's room?

Just a moment Miss Rose. This is Miss Rose, one of my most capable teachers.

Captain Crew has done us the honor of placing his little daughter Sara with us.

How do you do Miss Rose? How do you do Captain Crew? We

shall do everything we can to make your little girl happy.

Children, we have a new pupil. Sara Crew. Say how do you do to her.

- How do you do? - I'm very well, thank you.

Lavina, Jesse, that will do. You may proceed Miss Rose.

- She's just like a little princess, isn't she? - That's what she is, a princess.

I expect now, some people around here won't think they're so smart.

Oh won't they? Wait and see! Princess indeed!

Fortunately, the room has just been papered and the fireplace has an excellent draft.

- But I thought you didn't have any rooms? - I

didn't know then what a dear little girl was coming.

Why does that make more rooms daddy?

Lady Bengiglis daughter has only recently vacated the room. Our best suite of course.

Do you think you could brighten it up a bit? I'd like it made as gay as possible.

Brought a few things from India. Perhaps you could buy whatever else is necessary.

With pleasure Captain Crew.

- I'd like Sara to ride every afternoon, if that is all right.

Of course. - Fortunately we have a splendid riding master.

I expect you think I am completely spoiling the child.

No doubt you're right, but actually it's good for her.

She's much too inclined to bury her cute little nose in a

book and keep it there until someone lures her out of it.

You see Miss Minchin. Sara has no mother and we've

never been separated for more than a few days.

- How touching. - This is going to be very hard for her.

Have no fear Captain Crew. I'm a mother to all my little girls.

And now, I'll leave you to your farewells.

- How much longer have we got, daddy? - Only a few minutes, darling.

- You know me by heart little Sara. - No daddy, I know you by heart.

You're inside my heart.

We're going to be brave, aren't we?

I'll tell you what. Let's pretend we're back in India.

And I'm going away with the troop for a few days. Shall we?

We've fought this kind of battle before, haven't

we? And you never cried once when I went away.

- Remember? - Yes daddy.

But this is going to be our hardest battle.

- But we'll be good soldiers, won't we? - Yes daddy.

- Shall we say good-bye, like we used to at home? - Yes daddy.

All right then. Chin up, go to the window and look out.

Say it as we used to.

My daddy has to go away, but he'll return most any day.

Any moment, I may see, my daddy coming back to me.

My daddy has to go away, but he'll return most any day.

I can't do it this time. I can't do it.

- You're crying too. - I'm afraid that we

aren't quite the good soldiers as we thought.

Oh yes we are.

I can do it now.

My daddy has to go away, but he'll return most any day.

Any moment I may see, my daddy coming back to me.

I will do it! I will! I'll pretend this is part of a war.

You be the enemy and you'll be my trusty lance. Now ready, aim, fi re.

I guess we'll have to call in the reserves.

- Good-morning. - Misses speaks Hindu?

I've lived in India all my life.

Misses is going to live in England now?

- Until my father gets through with making the

boars behave. - Your father is a soldier?

Yes, my father is a captain. Captain Crew. I'm Sara. What is your name?

I am Ram Dass. Servant to the Honorable Lord Wickham and Lady Surani.

Ram Dass!

Why are you doddling here? Finish with that bird and get on with your work.

Good-morning.

How do you do?

I'm up here at the window almost every morning,

in case you want to talk about India.

Good-morning Sara. Oh, good-morning. Are you ready for breakfast my dear?

Well, I'm trying to be, but I don't seem to be very

good at these buttons. My thumb get lost in the holes.

Here, let me help you. Buttons are a bother, aren't they?

I've never had to button things before, but I'll learn.

Here, put your shoe up. Come in.

- Good-morning Becky. - Good-morning.

- Has the young lady any boots to be done? - Well,

only the pair I wore yesterday, I'll get them.

I'll get them Miss. Oh I beg your pardon Miss!

- Are you hurt? - No Miss you mustn't be helping me Miss.

Just hold out your arms and I'll pile them on.

Oh no Miss. If Miss Minchin was to see.....

- Think you can hold two more? - Yes Miss.

There. There we are. Are you all right?

- You take care of all those? - And she does them beautifully.

- I thank you Miss. - Thank-you for doing my shoes.

- Oh, I'm sorry. - That's all right.

Good-bye Becky. Good-bye.

Well, perhaps this isn't going to be such a bad

school after all. With you and Becky here.

Oh, we'll have to hurry dear. Miss Minchin doesn't like anyone to be late.

Tell me Miss Rose. Do you think Miss Minchin could be as cross as she looks?

- What will I have to do today? - Well, after

breakfast, you'll have a class of arithmatic.

Then English, then french, history and geography.

I'm going to be a busy person, aren't I? When do I get to ride my pony?

Later this afternoon. About 4 o'clock.

Children, our new pupil, Sara Crew will be down shortly.

As you've seen, Captain Crew is a very delightful

man and their family is most distinguished.

I should expect you to treat her accordingly. Now you may take your places.

- Good-morning. - Ah, good-morning Sara.

- I'm so happy you feel like joining us this morning.

Did you sleep well? - No I didn't, thank-you.

Lavina, you and Jesse will move down one place.

- Sara will be seated at my right after this. - Why

Miss Minchin, this has always been my place.

For this food, and all thy bountiful gifts bestowed

upon us, we are duly grateful and do now give thanks.

- Why are you putting salt on your plate my dear. - Just

in case you plan on asking me to have one of your eggs.

- Mr. Geoffrey. Shall I saddle the pony for the wee lassie? - I

think not Sandy. We'd best use the mare for her first few lessons.

What luck. The old girl allowed you to come out.

Sara, this is Mr. Geoffrey Hamilton. Miss Crew is our new pupil.

- How do you do? - How do you do?

I believe I am to teach you to ride. And that means two bob extra to me.

- Is two bob a great deal of money? - Values are comparative.

- In my present state, it's a fortune. - Well,

in that case, I guess I'd better be taught.

- Is my pony ready? -I think we'd best start you off on something a little tamer.

Then hadn't I better explain things to my pony. He might feel hurt.

Right you are. Ponies are very sensitive creatures. Explain the

whole thing to him, thoroughly. He's right there by the arch.

It may take me some time. That's all right.