Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter VI
Mordauntexperiencedforthemomentacurioussensation.Beingamanofgreatthoughtfulness,andhavingspentsomanyyearsontheestateofDorincourt,knowingthetenantry,richandpoor,thepeopleofthevillage,honestandindustrious,dishonestandlazy,herealizedverystronglywhatpowerforgoodorevilwouldbegiveninthefuturetothisonesmallboystandingthere,hisbrowneyeswideopen,hishandsdeepinhispockets;andthethoughtcametohimalsothatagreatdealofpowermight,perhaps,throughthecapriceofaproud,self-indulgentoldman,begiventohimnow,andthatifhisyoungnaturewerenotasimpleandgenerousone,itmightbetheworstthingthatcouldhappen,notonlyforothers,butforhimself.
“AndwhatwouldYOUdoinsuchacase?”demandedtheEarl.
Fauntleroydrewalittlenearer,andlaidonehandonhisknee,withthemostconfidingairofgoodcomradeship.
“IfIwereveryrich,”hesaid,“andnotonlyjustalittleboy,Ishouldlethimstay,andgivehimthethingsforhischildren;butthen,Iamonlyaboy.”Then,afterasecond’spause,inwhichhisfacebrightenedvisibly,“YOUcandoanything,can’tyou?”hesaid.
“Humph!”saidmylord,staringathim.“That’syouropinion,isit?”Andhewasnotdispleasedeither.
“Imeanyoucangiveanyoneanything,”saidFauntleroy.“Who’sNewick?”
“Heismyagent,”answeredtheEarl,“andsomeofmytenantsarenotover-fondofhim.”
“Areyougoingtowritehimaletternow?”inquiredFauntleroy.“ShallIbringyouthepenandink?Icantakethegameoffthistable.
