Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter I
“Comehome,darlint,”shesaid;“themisthressiswantin’yez.”
Cedricslippeddownfromhisstool.
“Doesshewantmetogooutwithher,Mary?”heasked.“Good-morning,Mr.Hobbs.I’llseeyouagain.”
HewassurprisedtoseeMarystaringathiminadumfoundedfashion,andhewonderedwhyshekeptshakingherhead.
“What’sthematter,Mary?”hesaid.“Isitthehotweather?”
“No,”saidMary;“butthere’sstrangethingshappenin’tous.”
“HasthesungivenDearestaheadache?”heinquiredanxiously.
Butitwasnotthat.Whenhereachedhisownhousetherewasacoupestandingbeforethedoorandsomeonewasinthelittleparlortalkingtohismamma.Maryhurriedhimupstairsandputonhisbestsummersuitofcream-coloredflannel,withtheredscarfaroundhiswaist,andcombedouthiscurlylocks.
“Lords,isit?”heheardhersay.“An’thenobilityan’gintry.Och!badcesstothem!Lords,indade—worseluck.”
Itwasreallyverypuzzling,buthefeltsurehismammawouldtellhimwhatalltheexcitementmeant,soheallowedMarytobemoanherselfwithoutaskingmanyquestions.Whenhewasdressed,herandownstairsandwentintotheparlor.Atall,thinoldgentlemanwithasharpfacewassittinginanarm-chair.Hismotherwasstandingnearbywithapaleface,andhesawthatthereweretearsinhereyes.
“Oh!Ceddie!”shecriedout,andrantoherlittleboyandcaughthiminherarmsandkissedhiminafrightened,troubledway.“Oh!Ceddie,darling!”
ThetalloldgentlemanrosefromhischairandlookedatCedricwithhissharpeyes
