Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter VI
Twoofthechildrenwereleftverylowafterthefever,andthedoctorordersforthemwineandluxuriesthatHigginscannotafford.”
AtthisFauntleroymovedastepnearer.
“ThatwasthewaywithMichael,”hesaid.
TheEarlslightlystarted.
“IforgotYOU!”hesaid.“Iforgotwehadaphilanthropistintheroom.WhowasMichael?”Andthegleamofqueeramusementcamebackintotheoldman’sdeep-seteyes.
“HewasBridget’shusband,whohadthefever,”answeredFauntleroy;“andhecouldn’tpaytherentorbuywineandthings.Andyougavemethatmoneytohelphim.”
TheEarldrewhisbrowstogetherintoacuriousfrown,whichsomehowwasscarcelygrimatall.HeglancedacrossatMr.Mordaunt.
“Idon’tknowwhatsortoflandedproprietorhewillmake,”hesaid.“ItoldHavishamtheboywastohavewhathewanted—anythinghewanted—andwhathewanted,itseems,wasmoneytogivetobeggars.”
“Oh!buttheyweren’tbeggars,”saidFauntleroyeagerly.“Michaelwasasplendidbricklayer!Theyallworked.”
“Oh!”saidtheEarl,“theywerenotbeggars.Theyweresplendidbricklayers,andbootblacks,andapple-women.”
Hebenthisgazeontheboyforafewsecondsinsilence.Thefactwasthatanewthoughtwascomingtohim,andthough,perhaps,itwasnotpromptedbythenoblestemotions,itwasnotabadthought.“Comehere,”hesaid,atlast.
Fauntleroywentandstoodasneartohimaspossiblewithoutencroachingonthegoutyfoot.
“WhatwouldYOUdointhiscase?”hislordshipasked.
ItmustbeconfessedthatMr.
