Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter IX
Onefinemorning,peoplewereamazedtoseelittleLordFauntleroyridinghisponywithanothercompanionthanWilkins.Thisnewcompanionrodeatall,powerfulgrayhorse,andwasnootherthantheEarlhimself.Itwas,infact,Fauntleroywhohadsuggestedthisplan.Ashehadbeenonthepointofmountinghispony,hehadsaidratherwistfullytohisgrandfather:
“Iwishyouweregoingwithme.WhenIgoawayIfeellonelybecauseyouareleftallbyyourselfinsuchabigcastle.Iwishyoucouldridetoo.”
AndthegreatestexcitementhadbeenarousedinthestablesafewminuteslaterbythearrivalofanorderthatSelimwastobesaddledfortheEarl.Afterthat,Selimwassaddledalmosteveryday;andthepeoplebecameaccustomedtothesightofthetallgrayhorsecarryingthetallgrayoldman,withhishandsome,fierce,eagleface,bythesideofthebrownponywhichborelittleLordFauntleroy.Andintheirridestogetherthroughthegreenlanesandprettycountryroads,thetworidersbecamemoreintimatethanever.Andgraduallytheoldmanheardagreatdealabout“Dearest”andherlife.AsFauntleroytrottedbythebighorsehechattedgayly.Therecouldnotwellhavebeenabrighterlittlecomrade,hisnaturewassohappy.Itwashewhotalkedthemost.TheEarloftenwassilent,listeningandwatchingthejoyous,glowingface.