An Egyptian Princess — Volume 03 by Georg Ebers
page 50 of 66 (75%)
page 50 of 66 (75%)
|
brought me balls, dolls ninepins from Memphis and Sais; and now that I am
older he teaches me beautiful new songs." [Jointed dolls for children. Wilkinson II. 427. Note 149. In the Leyden Museum one of these jointed toys is to be seen, in very good preservation.] "As a parting gift he brought me a tiny Sicilian lapdog, which I am going to call Argos, because he is so white and swiftfooted. But in a few days we are to have another present from the good Phanes, for . . . There, now you can see what I am; I was just going to let out a great secret. My grandmother has strictly forbidden me to tell any one what dear little visitors we are expecting; but I feel as if I had known you a long time already, and you have such kind eyes that I could tell you everything. You see, when I am very happy, I have no one in the whole world to talk to about it, except old Melitta and my grandmother, and, I don't know how it is, that, though they love me so much, they sometimes cannot understand how trifles can make me so happy." "That is because they are old, and have forgotten what made them happy in their youth. But have you no companions of your own age that you are fond of?" "Not one. Of course there are many other young girls beside me in Naukratis, but my grandmother says I am not to seek their acquaintance, and if they will not come to us I am not to go to them." "Poor child! if you were in Persia, I could soon find you a friend. I have a sister called Atossa, who is young and good, like you." |
|