Kind and comfortable Mrs. Carmichael explained everything. She came to the house to help Sara Crewe. She put her arms around the girl and told her the story. Mr. Carrisford was very tired and excited. He did not want Sara Crewe to leave the room. He wanted to look at her all the time.
Janet Carmichael took Sara Crewe into another room. Janet Carmichael said she was very happy because they found Sara Crewe. Donald Carmichael stood with his hands in his pockets. He looked at Sara Crewe. He felt bad because he gave her money before but did not ask for her name.
Mrs. Carmichael kissed Sara Crewe. Sara Crewe had one important question. She asked if Mr. Carrisford was the bad friend from the story. Mrs. Carmichael said no. She said Mr. Carrisford was a good man. He did not really lose the money.
Mr. Carrisford only thought he lost the money. He loved Sara Crewe’s father very much. He became very sick with brain fever (a very dangerous sickness that makes the mind confused). He almost died. When he became better, Captain Crewe was already dead.
Mr. Carrisford looked for Sara Crewe everywhere. He thought she was at a school in France. He did not know she was next door. He saw Sara Crewe through his window. He felt sorry for her because she looked sad and poor.
He told Ram Dass to climb into her attic window. He wanted to make Sara Crewe happy. Sara Crewe was full of joy. She realized that Mr. Carrisford made her dreams come true. He was the person who brought the magic to her room.
Mr. Carmichael called Sara Crewe back into the library. Mr. Carrisford felt better now. Sara Crewe went to him. Her face was very bright. She stood by his chair and held her hands together.
"You sent the beautiful things to me," Sara Crewe said. "You sent them!" Mr. Carrisford said yes. He looked at her with love. Sara Crewe knelt by his chair. She kissed his thin hand many times.
Mr. Carrisford had new things to plan now. He wanted to help Sara Crewe. First, he had to talk to Miss Minchin. Sara Crewe was not going back to the school. She would live with Mr. Carrisford now.
Suddenly, Miss Minchin came to the house. She heard that Sara Crewe was there. She was very angry. She thought Sara Crewe was being rude. She wanted to take her pupil back to the school.
Miss Minchin entered the library. She was very polite but her face was hard. She told Mr. Carrisford that she was the owner of the school. She said Sara Crewe was a charity pupil (a student who stays for free because they have no money).
Mr. Carrisford told Miss Minchin that he was waiting for her. He said his solicitor (a lawyer who helps people with money and the law) wanted to talk to her. Miss Minchin told Sara Crewe to go home at once. She said she would punish Sara Crewe.
"She is not going back," Mr. Carrisford said. He patted Sara Crewe’s hand. Miss Minchin was very surprised. She did not understand. Mr. Carrisford said Sara Crewe would live with him from now on.
Mr. Carmichael explained the facts. He said Mr. Carrisford was the partner of Captain Crewe. The money was not lost. Now, the money was very large. The diamond mines (deep holes in the ground where people find expensive stones) were a great success.
Miss Minchin lost the color in her face. She was shocked. Sara Crewe was very rich again. Mr. Carmichael said she was like a princess. Mr. Carrisford would be her guardian (a person who takes care of a child).
Miss Minchin tried to argue. She said she took care of Sara Crewe. She said Sara Crewe must finish her school lessons. She said the law would help her. Mr. Carmichael said the law would not help Miss Minchin.
"Sara Crewe can choose," Mr. Carmichael said. Miss Minchin looked at Sara Crewe. She told Sara Crewe that she was always fond of her. Sara Crewe looked at her quietly. She said she did not know that.
Miss Minchin became very angry. She told Sara Crewe she would never see her friends again. But Mr. Carmichael said that was not true. Sara Crewe could invite anyone she liked to her new home. Miss Minchin knew she lost the battle.
Miss Minchin told Mr. Carrisford that Sara Crewe was a bad child. She looked at Sara Crewe. "I suppose you feel like a princess again," she said. Sara Crewe looked down. "I tried to be a princess," Sara Crewe said. "I tried even when I was cold and hungry."
Miss Minchin went back to her school. She was very angry with Miss Amelia. Miss Amelia began to cry. Then Miss Amelia said something brave. She told Miss Minchin that she was a hard and selfish woman.
Miss Amelia said Sara Crewe was a good child. She said they were both mean to Sara Crewe. She said they only liked people with money. Miss Minchin was very surprised. She was now a little afraid of her sister.
That evening, Ermengarde had a letter from Sara Crewe. All the girls gathered around her. Ermengarde told them the news. She said the diamond mines were real. She said Sara Crewe was very rich and would not come back.
The girls talked about the news until midnight. They were all very excited. Becky went up to her attic. She was happy for Sara Crewe, but she was sad too. She thought the magic room would be empty and cold again.
Becky opened her door and cried out. The lamp was on and the fire was hot. There was a good supper on the table. Ram Dass was there. He was smiling at her.
Ram Dass gave Becky a letter from Sara Crewe. Sara Crewe wanted Becky to come and live with her. Becky would be Sara Crewe’s attendant (a person who helps and works for another person). Becky was very happy. The magic was still there.