Bessie had been down into the kitchen, and she brought up with her a tart on a certain brightly painted china plate, whose bird of paradise, nestling in a wreath of convolvuli and rosebuds, had been wont to stir in me a most enthusiastic sense of admiration; and which plate I had often petitioned to be allowed to take in my hand in order to examine it more closely, but had always hitherto been deemed unworthy of such a privilege. This precious vessel was now placed on my knee, and I was cordially invited to eat the circlet of delicate pastry upon it.
Quel piatto aveva sempre suscitato in me una viva ammirazione; avevo spesso chiesto il permesso di prenderlo in mano per guardarlo con agio, ma fino allora ero stata riputata indegna di quel favore, e ora quella preziosa porcellana era posata sulle mie ginocchia e mi invitava amichevolmente a mangiare il dolce che conteneva. Vano favore!