One night, a week later, Ermengarde got quietly out of bed and went upstairs to the attic. Sara was not there, so Ermengarde sat on the bed and waited. At ten o'clock Sara came slowly up the stairs and into the room.Ermengarde looked at her. Oh, Sara! she cried. Are you ill? Your face white, and you look so tired!' is It was a hard day, Ermie,' said Sara. She sat down. Miss Minchin was angry with Cook. Then Cook was angry with us. Becky and I had no dinner and no tea. Does that happen often?' said Ermengarde unhappily. You never told me. Are you are you hungry now?Sara looked at her. Yes she whispered. Yes, I am. I would like to eat that table. I would like to eat you.'Ermengarde jumped up. Sara' she cried. I had a box of things from home today. There's a big cake in it. I'm going to get it now! You and Becky can eat it all!' Soon Ermengarde was back. The three girls sat on Sara's bed, and there were some happy smiles when Ermengarde opened her box and took out the cake.Oh, Miss, look at that!" said Becky
"You are kind, Ermie said Sara. She laughed. It's magic, you know. When things are very bad, something nice always happens. Here we are, having a partyErmengarde gave Sara and Becky some cake, and they began to eat. Suddenly, they stopped. There was a noise of feet on the stairs. They listened. Oh no! whispered Becky. "It's - it's Miss Minchin!'Minchin! Yes,' said Sara. Her face was white again. Then the door opened, and Miss Minchin in. came So, Lavinia was right,' she said angrily. Tea with Princess Sara! Becky, get back to your attic at once!'oh, please, Miss Minchin cried Ermengarde. Tt cake, from home. We're only having a was my party.Go back room. Ermengarde Miss to your Minchin said coldly, 'and take these things with you. And tomorrow she looked at Sara there's no breakfast, no dinner, and no tea for you. Remember that!'Soon the attics were quiet again. Tired and hungry, the two servant-girls went to sleep. But after an hour or two Sara opened her eyes. Was it a noise from the window perhaps?