That night was wonderful. Sara and Becky sat by the fire. The fire was bright and hot. They took the covers off the dishes. They found hot soup and muffins. They also found sandwiches and tea.
Sara was warm and happy. She believed the magic was real. She had a friend now. Someone was helping her. She did not know who it was, but she felt safe.
Becky was afraid for a moment. She asked Sara if the magic would disappear. Sara said the food was real because she could taste it. Sara even held her hands near the fire to be sure. It was not a dream.
They felt very warm and sleepy. Sara gave some blankets to Becky. Becky’s own bed was now comfortable. Before Becky left, she looked at the room. She wanted to remember everything.
Becky looked at the fire and the table. She looked at the lamp and the rug. She knew the soup was real. Then Becky went to her own room to sleep. She was very thankful.
The next morning, everyone in the school knew about Sara. They knew she was in trouble with Miss Minchin. Miss Minchin wanted to send Becky away. But Miss Minchin needed Becky to do the hard work.
Jessie and Lavinia talked about Sara. Jessie said Miss Minchin would keep Sara. Soon, Sara would teach whole classes for no money. Lavinia was mean. She had told Miss Minchin about the secret party the night before.
Lavinia said Sara would look sad today. Sara had no dinner yesterday. She would have no food today either. Jessie felt sorry for Sara. She did not want Sara to starve.
Sara went to the kitchen. The cook looked at her. Sara saw Becky in the scullery. Becky was washing a pot and singing. Becky was happy because her warm blanket was still there.
Miss Minchin waited for Sara in the schoolroom. Miss Minchin thought Sara would be sad. She thought Sara would cry. But Sara walked in with a quick step. Her face was bright and she looked strong.
Miss Minchin was very surprised. She called Sara to her desk. Miss Minchin asked if Sara was sorry. Sara was polite. Sara said she knew she was in trouble.
Miss Minchin said Sara looked too happy. She said it was an impertinence. She told Sara again that she must have no food today. Sara said, "Yes, Miss Minchin." But Sara was not sad.
Sara wanted to keep the magic a secret. She told Ermengarde the story. She told Ermengarde not to tell anyone. Sara knew she had a kind friend somewhere. That thought made her happy all day.
The weather was very bad again. Sara was tired and hungry. She went up the stairs at night. She was a little afraid. She thought perhaps the magic was gone.
Sara opened the door. The magic was still there! There was even more now. The fire was big and bright. There was a new cloth on the mantel. There were many cushions on the floor.
The room looked like something from a fairy story. There were bright fans on the wall. There was a sofa made of boxes and rugs. Sara felt like a fairy herself. She called Becky to come in.
Becky had her own cup and saucer now. Sara had a new mattress. Sara gave her old mattress to Becky. Now both girls had comfortable beds.
Life became better every day. The magician brought new things every night. There was always a good meal. Sara was still busy and tired during the day. But she was happy at night. She started to look healthy and strong.
Miss Minchin noticed that Sara looked well. Miss Minchin was annoyed. She thought Sara was being proud. Miss Amelia said Sara looked like a princess. Miss Minchin told Miss Amelia to be quiet.
One day, some parcels arrived. They were for the "Little Girl in the Attic." Miss Minchin saw them. She told Sara to open them.
The boxes were full of beautiful clothes. There were shoes, a coat, and a hat. There was a note. It said: "Wear these every day. We will send more later." Miss Minchin was very confused. She thought Sara had a rich friend.
Miss Minchin became more polite. She told Sara to put on the new clothes. She said Sara could study in the schoolroom again. Sara did not have to do errands that day.
Sara walked into the schoolroom. She looked like a princess again. Her dress was beautiful. Her hair was tied with a ribbon. All the other girls stared at Sara.
That night, Sara sat by the fire. She wanted to thank her friend. She found a writing-case. She wrote a kind note to the secret friend. She left the note on the table.
Sara and Becky were reading. They heard a sound at the skylight. It was a soft scratching sound. Sara thought it was a cat.
Sara opened the window. It was the monkey! He was cold and shivering in the snow. Sara pulled the monkey inside. She held the monkey in her arms to keep him warm.
The monkey looked like an ugly baby. Sara laughed. She loved animals. She decided to keep the monkey for one night. She would take the monkey back to the Indian gentleman tomorrow. The monkey slept at her feet.