Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой

           IfCedrichadbeenalesshandsomelittlefellow,theoldmanmighthavetakensostrongadisliketohimthathewouldnothavegivenhimselfthechancetoseehisgrandson’sfinerqualities.ButhechosetothinkthatCedric’sbeautyandfearlessspiritweretheresultsoftheDorincourtbloodandacredittotheDorincourtrank.Andthenwhenheheardtheladtalk,andsawwhatawell-bredlittlefellowhewas,notwithstandinghisboyishignoranceofallthathisnewpositionmeant,theoldEarllikedhisgrandsonmore,andactuallybegantofindhimselfratherentertained.IthadamusedhimtogiveintothosechildishhandsthepowertobestowabenefitonpoorHiggins.MylordcarednothingforpoorHiggins,butitpleasedhimalittletothinkthathisgrandsonwouldbetalkedaboutbythecountrypeopleandwouldbegintobepopularwiththetenantry,eveninhischildhood.ThenithadgratifiedhimtodrivetochurchwithCedricandtoseetheexcitementandinterestcausedbythearrival.Heknewhowthepeoplewouldspeakofthebeautyofthelittlelad;ofhisfine,strong,straightbody;ofhiserectbearing,hishandsomeface,andhisbrighthair,andhowtheywouldsay(astheEarlhadheardonewomanexclaimtoanother)thattheboywas“everyinchalord.”MylordofDorincourtwasanarrogantoldman,proudofhisname,proudofhisrank,andthereforeproudtoshowtheworldthatatlasttheHouseofDorincourthadanheirwhowasworthyofthepositionhewastofill.

           Themorningthenewponyhadbeentried,theEarlhadbeensopleasedthathehadalmostforgottenhisgout.