Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter I
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Marywasveryfondofhim,andveryproudofhim,too.Shehadbeenwithhismothereversincehewasborn;and,afterhisfather’sdeath,hadbeencookandhousemaidandnurseandeverythingelse.Shewasproudofhisgraceful,stronglittlebodyandhisprettymanners,andespeciallyproudofthebrightcurlyhairwhichwavedoverhisforeheadandfellincharminglove-locksonhisshoulders.Shewaswillingtoworkearlyandlatetohelphismammamakehissmallsuitsandkeeptheminorder.
“’Ristycratic,isit?”shewouldsay.“Faith,an’I’dloiketoseethechoildonFifthAvey-NOOaslooksloikehiman’shtepsoutashandsomeashimself.An’ivveryman,woman,andchoildlookin’aftherhiminhisbitofablackvelvetskirtmadeoutofthemisthress’souldgownd;an’hislittleheadup,an’hiscurlyhairflyin’an’shinin’.It’sloikeayounglordhelooks.”
Cedricdidnotknowthathelookedlikeayounglord;hedidnotknowwhatalordwas.Hisgreatestfriendwasthegrocerymanatthecorner—thecrossgroceryman,whowasnevercrosstohim.HisnamewasMr.Hobbs,andCedricadmiredandrespectedhimverymuch.Hethoughthimaveryrichandpowerfulperson,hehadsomanythingsinhisstore,—prunesandfigsandorangesandbiscuits,—andhehadahorseandwagon.Cedricwasfondofthemilkmanandthebakerandtheapple-woman,buthelikedMr.Hobbsbestofall,andwasontermsofsuchintimacywithhimthathewenttoseehimeveryday,andoftensatwithhimquitealongtime,discussingthetopicsofthehour.