The next morning the whole school knew that Sara was in trouble.
Everyone had heard that Miss Minchin wanted to fire Becky.
But it was hard to find a good kitchen maid, so Becky didn't lose her job.
Miss Minchin didn't send Sara away either.
She had practical reasons for wanting to keep Sara at the school.
Sara was teaching some of the other girls, and could perform difficult tasks.
And Miss Minchin didn't have to pay her a cent.
But Sara was given no food that day. As usual she was sent on many errands.
She was even colder and wetter than the day before.
At ten o'clock Sara wearily climbed the steps to the attic.
"Oh, I hope the new things are still there," she whispered.
She opened the door to her room and gasped. The fire was blazing.
Supper for two was waiting on the table.
A number of new things had been brought to the attic.
The ugly mantel was hidden by a rich tapestry.
Colorful fabrics and fans were tacked to the walls, and a long box rested on the floor.
It was covered with a rug and cushions to make a sofa.
"It's like I'm living in a fairy tale!" exclaimed Sara.
She knocked on the wall, and Becky immediately appeared.
"Oh my!" said Becky. Her eyes were wide with amazement.
"Where does it all come from?"
"I have no idea," said Sara.
"But Miss Minchin must never find out what has been happening up here!"
Sara discovered that she had a new mattress and pillows.
Her old mattress and pillow were now on Becky's bed.
So Becky's bed was now softer too.
From that day on, life became more wonderful.
Every night there was something new in Sara's room.
Pictures covered the ugly walls. New pieces of furniture appeared.
A bookshelf was filled with books.
Miss Minchin was as harsh as ever.
The cook and other servants were still rude to Sara.
She was never allowed to speak to Ermengarde and Lottie.
Lavinia continued to sneer at her.
But Sara didn't mind. She had her lovely room to look forward to all day.
She also had a hot meal every evening.
And Sara enjoyed having a special secret to keep from Miss Minchin.
"If you only knew!" she thought whenever Miss Minchin scolded her.
But Miss Minchin had noticed something different about Sara.
"Sara is looking remarkably well," Miss Minchin said to her sister one afternoon.
"Yes, she used to look so starved," Miss Amelia replied.
"Why do you say that?" snapped the headmistress.
"She always had enough to eat."
"Of course," Miss Amelia quickly agreed. She hated upsetting her sister.
"There's something defiant about Sara," Miss Minchin went on.
"She's still acting like she's a princess. I find that most annoying."
One day a deliveryman came to the school. Sara was sent to open the door.
The man handed her several packages.
They were all addressed to "The Little Girl in the Right-hand Room in the Attic."
Miss Minchin came downstairs as Sara was staring at the address labels.
"Take those to the young lady to whom they belong," said the headmistress.
"Don't just stand there staring at them."
"But they're addressed to me," said Sara quietly.
"To you?" exclaimed Miss Minchin. "Well then, open them right now!"
"I don't know where they came from," Sara said.
She opened the packages and found all kinds of beautiful, warm clothing—shoes, stockings, gloves, and a nice hat.
There was even an umbrella and a winter coat.
Pinned to the coat was a note:
To be worn every day. Will be replaced when necessary.
Miss Minchin was quite upset when she saw the clothing.
Did Sara have a relative looking out for her?
What if this person discovered how poorly Sara had been treated?
He would be angry with Miss Minchin.
"Well," she said in a voice that was softer than her usual one with Sara.
"Someone has been very kind to you.
You might as well change into your new clothes.
After you are dressed, you may come downstairs and learn your lessons in the schoolroom.
There's no need to do any more errands today."
When Sara entered the schoolroom thirty minutes later, the girls whispered and stared.
Sara was dressed in a beautiful dress and she wore a ribbon in her hair.
She looked just like the old Sara.
Jessie elbowed Lavinia. "Look at Princess Sara!"
"Come sit here by me, Sara," Miss Minchin said.
Sara went to her old seat of honor and sat down.
Then she opened a book and began to study.