Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter X
“Imighthaveknownit,”hesaid.“Theywereadisgracetomefromtheirfirsthour!Ihatedthemboth;andtheyhatedme!Beviswastheworseofthetwo.Iwillnotbelievethisyet,though!Iwillcontendagainstittothelast.ButitislikeBevis—itislikehim!”
Andthenheragedagainandaskedquestionsaboutthewoman,aboutherproofs,andpacingtheroom,turnedfirstwhiteandthenpurpleinhisrepressedfury.
Whenatlasthehadlearnedalltherewastobetold,andknewtheworst,Mr.Havishamlookedathimwithafeelingofanxiety.Helookedbrokenandhaggardandchanged.Hisrageshadalwaysbeenbadforhim,butthisonehadbeenworsethantherestbecausetherehadbeensomethingmorethanrageinit.
Hecameslowlybacktothesofa,atlast,andstoodnearit.
“IfanyonehadtoldmeIcouldbefondofachild,”hesaid,hisharshvoicelowandunsteady,“Ishouldnothavebelievedthem.Ialwaysdetestedchildren—myownmorethantherest.Iamfondofthisone;heisfondofme”(withabittersmile).“Iamnotpopular;Ineverwas.Butheisfondofme.Heneverwasafraidofme—healwaystrustedme.HewouldhavefilledmyplacebetterthanIhavefilledit.Iknowthat.Hewouldhavebeenanhonortothename.”
Hebentdownandstoodaminuteorsolookingatthehappy,sleepingface.Hisshaggyeyebrowswereknittedfiercely,andyetsomehowhedidnotseemfierceatall.Heputuphishand,pushedthebrighthairbackfromtheforehead,andthenturnedawayandrangthebell.
Whenthelargestfootmanappeared,hepointedtothesofa