Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter XIII
Hello!Isay,what’sthematter?”
Thepictureshespokeofwereonthefrontpage,andDickwasstaringatoneofthemwithhiseyesandmouthopen,andhissharpfacealmostpalewithexcitement.
“What’stopay,Dick?”saidtheyoungman.“Whathasparalyzedyou?”
Dickreallydidlookasifsomethingtremendoushadhappened.Hepointedtothepicture,underwhichwaswritten:
“MotherofClaimant(LadyFauntleroy).”
Itwasthepictureofahandsomewoman,withlargeeyesandheavybraidsofblackhairwoundaroundherhead.
“Her!”saidDick.“My,Iknowherbetter’nIknowyou!”
Theyoungmanbegantolaugh.
“Wheredidyoumeether,Dick?”hesaid.“AtNewport?OrwhenyouranovertoParisthelasttime?”
Dickactuallyforgottogrin.Hebegantogatherhisbrushesandthingstogether,asifhehadsomethingtodowhichwouldputanendtohisbusinessforthepresent.
“Nevermind,”hesaid.“Iknowher!AnI’vestruckworkforthismornin’.”
AndinlessthanfiveminutesfromthattimehewastearingthroughthestreetsonhiswaytoMr.Hobbsandthecornerstore.
Mr.HobbscouldscarcelybelievetheevidenceofhissenseswhenhelookedacrossthecounterandsawDickrushinwiththepaperinhishand.Theboywasoutofbreathwithrunning;somuchoutofbreath,infact,thathecouldscarcelyspeakashethrewthepaperdownonthecounter.
“Hello!”exclaimedMr.Hobbs.“Hello!Whatyougotthere?”
“Lookatit!”pantedDick.“Lookatthatwomaninthepicture!That’swhatyoulookat!SHEaintno’ristocrat,SHEaint!”withwitheringscorn.