A Little Princess: Marianne

Some years after Sara Crewe came here, I arrived. My name is Marianne. I came here to Miss Minchin’s boarding school for girls after my mother died. Father was already in war. I had no other living relatives and my only choice was to this school or a foster home. I knew that Father would come and fetch me after the war was finished…if we were alive. The suspense of this war had driven my father and mother mad. They were already crazy after James, my brother left home. We didn’t here any of his whereabouts after he had left. I missed him for months on end and finally forgot him and nearly forgot about Andrew my friend. But, as time went by, mother came down with the disease. I was sent to London and now I’ve been here for a year. I met the servant girls today. Their names were Sara and Becky. Sara was fifteen and Becky fourteen. I was twelve. I could tell immediately as I was brought here, that Miss Minchin hated me. I’m sure she preferred Sara to I.

“Marianne, we cannot delay everyone’s meal on one student!” Minchin cried, as I saw the schoolgirl’s pictures. I ran down the stairs, tying my bow that belonged to my hideous green dress. I walked into the dining room and sat down next to Lavinia.

“Hello,” I said, smiling. The girl ignored me as Sara came out with porridge. She scooped out some for me as I sighed. More thoughts had filled my head as she walked away from me. Miss Minchin shot her an evil eye. I looked around at some paintings. After breakfast, we went to the classroom.

“Sara, bring Marianne some new books from the shelve!” Minchin exclaimed, as Sara came into the classroom. She nodded and went to open the bookshelf and got out four books.

“Thank you,” I whispered, I secretly handed her a roll inside a handkerchief from breakfast. She took it gladly and left the room to the attic. Miss Minchin was teaching us Astronomy and I was doodling in my journal and taking notes at the same time. What would it be like to be a servant? Maybe I could become a nurse for the wounded men when they come home…but Miss Minchin would not let me out of the building. I could run away. “…Marianne…are you listening to what I am saying?”

I looked up and nodded. “Then what are the nine planets in our solar system?” she asked.

“Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.” I answered, as some of the girls giggled. Miss Minchin raised a brow in astonishment.

“Well, I believe you have had a tutor, am I correct?”

I nodded briskly. “Yes, ma’am.” I replied. She turned around and continued writing on the blackboard. Ermengarde smiled shyly at me as I turned to her. Lavinia glared at me. Lottie was one of the eleven year olds sitting in front of me. Lavinia threw a paper ball at me when Miss Minchin turned around. “Lavinia, come see me in my office after class. Everyone is dismissed after you have finished writing this down: Section one.”

I finished early and left for my room in tears. “Andrew, if you were only here!” I cried, falling onto my bed. A light knock came from behind my door.

“Come in,” I said, wiping my tears. It was Sara. She came over to my fireplace. She stuck the wood in.

“H-how do you like your stay?” she asked, a bit nervous. I sighed and thought for a moment.

“I have to admit that Miss Minchin is a witch.” I laughed. Sara smiled. I could tell she was looking at my books.

“Are you reading Shakespeare?” she asked. I nodded and went to get an old book that I have read at least fifty times.

“You can have it.” I said, taking it off the shelf.

Sara shook her head. “No, it’s your book I can’t.”

“I’ve memorized the whole book and read it fifty times. It’s yours.” I replied. Sara gladly took the book and left my room. I went to my desk and pulled out my ink and paper.

April 11, 1917

Dear Andrew,

I miss you so much. I do not know what I can do without you. Have you heard anything from James? I feel as if I were completely lost in this world in London. I am not used to all the smoke and cobbled roads and horse carriages. How is the war? Can you please write to me soon and tell father that I miss him so much.

Love,

Marianne

I folded the letter and sealed it and kissed it. Four days later, it was my thirteenth birthday. Everyone had thrown me a surprise party. While I was celebrating with my friends, Mr. Barrow, my father’s security man came to talk to Miss Minchin.

“Come on, Marianne, make a wish.” Lottie exclaimed. I smiled and blew out my candles.

“What did you wish for?” Ermengarde asked. I blushed and got one present to open.

“I can’t say really. It’s something special…a person…”

The girls gasped and waited for more. “Is it a boy?” Jessie asked.

“Oh hush up, I’m sure she wished for something better, right Marianne?” Lavinia asked. I ignored her comment and opened my first present when Miss Minchin came in. “Everyone go to your rooms.”

“But--“

“The party is over!”

I sighed. “Miss Minchin…”

“Marianne, I have some grave news.” She started. I looked away not wanting to know what she had to say.

“Your father--has died in battle.”

I looked at my feet and held my breath. My whole world…my dreams and hopes were now ruined along with everything else. I guess thirteen really is bad luck.