That evening was wonderful. Sara Crewe 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 (a type of small, sweet bread). They also found sandwiches and tea.
Sara Crewe 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 Crewe if the magic would disappear. Sara Crewe said the food was real because she could taste it. Sara Crewe even touched a hot coal to be sure. It was not a dream.
They felt very warm and sleepy. Sara Crewe 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 Crewe. 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 Crewe. Jessie said Miss Minchin would keep Sara Crewe. Soon, Sara Crewe would teach the younger children for no money. Lavinia was mean. She told Miss Minchin about the secret party.
Lavinia said Sara Crewe would look sad today. Sara Crewe had no dinner yesterday. She would have no food today either. Jessie felt sorry for Sara Crewe. She did not want Sara Crewe to starve.
Sara Crewe went to the kitchen. The cook looked at her. Sara Crewe saw Becky in the scullery (a small room for washing dishes). Becky was washing a pot and singing. Becky was happy because her warm blanket was still there.
Miss Minchin waited for Sara Crewe in the schoolroom. Miss Minchin thought Sara Crewe would be sad. She thought Sara Crewe would cry. But Sara Crewe walked in with a quick step. Her face was bright and she looked strong.
Miss Minchin was very surprised. She called Sara Crewe to her desk. Miss Minchin asked if Sara Crewe was sorry. Sara Crewe was polite. Sara Crewe said she knew she was in trouble.
Miss Minchin said Sara Crewe looked too happy. She said it was an impertinence (a lack of respect). She told Sara Crewe again that she must have no food today. Sara Crewe said, "Yes, Miss Minchin." But Sara Crewe was not sad.
Sara Crewe wanted to keep the magic a secret. She told Ermengarde the story. She told Ermengarde not to tell anyone. Sara Crewe knew she had a kind friend somewhere. That thought made her happy all day.
The weather was very bad again. Sara Crewe was tired and hungry. She went up the stairs at night. She was a little afraid. She thought perhaps the magic was gone.
Sara Crewe 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 (soft bags of cloth used as seats) on the floor.
The room looked like a fairy story. There were bright fans on the wall. There was a sofa made of boxes and rugs. Sara Crewe felt like a fairy herself. She called Becky to come in.
Becky had her own cup and saucer now. Sara Crewe had a new mattress (the thick, soft part of a bed). Sara Crewe 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 Crewe 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 Crewe looked well. Miss Minchin was annoyed. She thought Sara Crewe was being proud. Miss Amelia said Sara Crewe looked like a princess. Miss Minchin told Miss Amelia to be quiet.
One day, some parcels (boxes or packages) arrived. They were for the "Little Girl in the Attic." Miss Minchin saw them. She told Sara Crewe 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 Crewe had a rich friend.
Miss Minchin became more polite. She told Sara Crewe to put on the new clothes. She said Sara Crewe could study in the schoolroom again. Sara Crewe did not have to do errands that day.
Sara Crewe 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 Crewe.
That night, Sara Crewe sat by the fire. She wanted to thank her friend. She found a writing-case (a small box for pens and paper). She wrote a kind note to the secret friend. She left the note on the table.
Sara Crewe and Becky were reading. They heard a sound at the skylight (a window in the roof). It was a soft scratching sound. Sara Crewe thought it was a cat.
Sara Crewe opened the window. It was the monkey! He was cold and shivering in the snow. Sara Crewe pulled the monkey inside. She held the monkey in her arms to keep him warm.
The monkey looked like an ugly baby. Sara Crewe 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.