i am a princess

sometimes, when she was in the midst of some harsh, domineering speech, miss minchin would find the still, unchildish eyes fixed upon her with something like a proud smile in them. at such times she did not know that sara was saying to herself:

"you don't know that you are saying these things to a princess, and that if i chose i could wave my hand and order you to execution. i only spare you because i am a princess, and you are a poor, stupid, unkind, vulgar old thing, and don't know any better."

this used to interest and amuse her more than anything else; and queer and fanciful as it was, she found comfort in it and it was a good thing for her. while the thought held possession of her, she could not be made rude and malicious by the rudeness and malice of those about her.

"a princess must be polite," she said to herself.

- a little princess by frances hodgson burnett