Miss Minchin disliked Sara. But the headmistress didn't want to make Sara unhappy. If that happened, Sara's rich father might take Sara out of the school. So the headmistress always praised Sara for her good manners and kindness to the other girls. She always let Sara do whatever she liked. And quiet Sara never did anything to break the rules.
"Lots of things just happen by accident," Sara said to Ermengarde one day. "I'm just lucky that my father is kind and rich. I'm also lucky that I learn new things easily. Maybe," she went on thoughtfully, "I'm really an awful child. But I'll never know because I don't have any problems."
"Lavinia doesn't have any problems, and she's horrid!" said Ermengarde.
Sara rubbed her nose as she considered this. Then she tried to be kind by repeating something she'd heard Miss Amelia say. "Maybe Lavinia is horrid because she's growing so fast."
But Sara had to admit that Lavinia was indeed horrid. Lavinia was also jealous of Sara. Before Sara came, Lavinia had been the best-dressed girl at school and Miss Minchin's favorite. She ruled over the older girls and scared the younger ones. All the girls followed her because they were afraid not to.
But then Sara arrived. Although Sara was rich, she was friendly. And as time went on, the other girls began to follow her because they liked her. The youngest girls adored her because she was kind to them. She hosted tea parties in her room and introduced them to Emily. Unlike Sara, Lavinia was rarely kind to the younger girls.
One morning Sara heard Lottie crying and shouting in the main sitting room. Lottie was four years old, the youngest girl at school. Lottie's father had spoiled her after her mother died. If Lottie wanted something, she cried until she got it. If she didn't want to do something, she threw a tantrum.
Miss Minchin and Miss Amelia were trying to calm Lottie down.
"Why is she upset now?" Miss Minchin yelled over the noise.
"Oh . . . oh . . . oh," sobbed Lottie. "I don't have a mama."
"Don't cry, darling," said Miss Amelia.
"Haven't got a mama!" howled Lottie.
"You only say that when you can't have your way," said Miss Minchin. "You really should be whipped, you naughty child."
Lottie wailed louder than ever. Miss Amelia began to cry. Miss Minchin got so angry, she stormed out of the room and left her sister to deal with the problem.
Sara was standing in the hallway.
"Oh, Sara!" Miss Minchin forced herself to give Sara a nice smile.
"I stopped because I heard Lottie," said Sara. "Perhaps I could help her?"
Miss Minchin's expression changed slightly. "You are a clever child," she said in a sharp tone. Then she softened her voice. "Go ahead. You can't do any worse than my sister is doing."
Sara entered the room and found Lottie kicking and screaming on the floor. Miss Amelia was bending over her, looking hot and tired.
"Poor darling," murmured Miss Amelia a few times. Then she said in quite a different tone, "Stop it, Lottie! You're a wicked child!"
"Miss Amelia," Sara said quietly. "Miss Minchin says I may try to make her stop."
Miss Amelia turned and looked at her. "Oh, do you think you can?" she gasped. "Lottie is such a dreadful child."
"If you'll quietly leave the room, I'll see what I can do," promised Sara.
Miss Amelia slipped out, leaving the two girls alone. Sara said nothing and she did nothing. She simply sat quietly on the floor next to Lottie.
Lottie didn't know what was going on. She looked up at Sara. "I . . . haven't . . . got a . . . mama," she tried to wail.
"Neither do I," said Sara.
This was so surprising that Lottie sat up. "Where is your mama?"
"Both our mamas are angels in heaven," Sara answered. "Should I tell you about heaven?"
Lottie dried her tears. "Yes, please."
Sara told her a story of a beautiful place filled with happy angels and fields of flowers.
"But I don't have a mama here at this school!" said Lottie.
Sara reached for Lottie's hand. "I'll be your mama," she said. "And Emily will be your sister."
Lottie smiled happily. "Let's go tell Emily."
"Yes, and then I'll brush your hair for you," added Sara.
Lottie happily agreed and trotted upstairs after Sara. By now Lottie had completely forgotten what had first upset her—Miss Amelia had tried to brush her hair!