Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter XII
AfterseeingthatrepulsivewomanwhocallsherselfthewifeofmysonBevis,Iactuallyfeltitwouldbearelieftolookatyou.Ihavebeenanobstinateoldfool,andIsupposeIhavetreatedyoubadly.Youareliketheboy,andtheboyisthefirstobjectinmylife.Iammiserable,andIcametoyoumerelybecauseyouareliketheboy,andhecaresforyou,andIcareforhim.Treatmeaswellasyoucan,fortheboy’ssake.”
Hesaiditallinhisharshvoice,andalmostroughly,butsomehowheseemedsobrokendownforthetimethatMrs.Errolwastouchedtotheheart.Shegotupandmovedanarm-chairalittleforward.
“Iwishyouwouldsitdown,”shesaidinasoft,pretty,sympatheticway.“Youhavebeensomuchtroubledthatyouareverytired,andyouneedallyourstrength.”
Itwasjustasnewtohimtobespokentoandcaredforinthatgentle,simplewayasitwastobecontradicted.Hewasremindedof“theboy”again,andheactuallydidassheaskedhim.Perhapshisdisappointmentandwretchednessweregooddisciplineforhim;ifhehadnotbeenwretchedhemighthavecontinuedtohateher,butjustatpresenthefoundheralittlesoothing.AlmostanythingwouldhaveseemedpleasantbycontrastwithLadyFauntleroy;andthisonehadsosweetafaceandvoice,andaprettydignitywhenshespokeormoved.Verysoon,throughthequietmagicoftheseinfluences,hebegantofeellessgloomy,andthenhetalkedstillmore.
“Whateverhappens,”hesaid,“theboyshallbeprovidedfor.Heshallbetakencareof,nowandinthefuture.”
Beforehewentaway,heglancedaroundtheroom