Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter I
HobbsaboutEnglandandtheQueen,andMr.Hobbshadsaidsomeveryseverethingsaboutthearistocracy,beingspeciallyindignantagainstearlsandmarquises.Ithadbeenahotmorning;andafterplayingsoldierswithsomefriendsofhis,Cedrichadgoneintothestoretorest,andhadfoundMr.HobbslookingveryfierceoverapieceoftheIllustratedLondonNews,whichcontainedapictureofsomecourtceremony.
“Ah,”hesaid,“that’sthewaytheygoonnow;butthey’llgetenoughofitsomeday,whenthosethey’vetrodonriseandblow’emupsky-high,—earlsandmarquisesandall!It’scoming,andtheymaylookoutforit!”
Cedrichadperchedhimselfasusualonthehighstoolandpushedhishatback,andputhishandsinhispocketsindelicatecomplimenttoMr.Hobbs.
“Didyoueverknowmanymarquises,Mr.Hobbs?”Cedricinquired,—“orearls?”
“No,”answeredMr.Hobbs,withindignation;“Iguessnot.I’dliketocatchoneof’eminsidehere;that’sall!I’llhavenograspingtyrantssittin’’roundonmycracker-barrels!”
Andhewassoproudofthesentimentthathelookedaroundproudlyandmoppedhisforehead.
“Perhapstheywouldn’tbeearlsiftheyknewanybetter,”saidCedric,feelingsomevaguesympathyfortheirunhappycondition.
“Wouldn’tthey!”saidMr.Hobbs.“Theyjustgloryinit!It’sin’em.They’reabadlot.”
Theywereinthemidstoftheirconversation,whenMaryappeared.
Cedricthoughtshehadcometobuysomesugar,perhaps,butshehadnot.Shelookedalmostpaleandasifshewereexcitedaboutsomething.
