Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter VIII
HislordshipmadeasigntoWilkins,whoatthesignalbroughtuphisownhorseandmounteditandtookFauntleroy’sponybytheleading-rein.
“Now,”saidtheEarl,“lethimtrot.”
Thenextfewminuteswereratherexcitingtothesmallequestrian.Hefoundthattrottingwasnotsoeasyaswalking,andthefastertheponytrotted,thelesseasyitwas.
“Itj-joltsag-goo-gooddeal—do-doesn’tit?”hesaidtoWilkins.“D-doesitj-jolty-you?”
“No,mylord,”answeredWilkins.“You’llgetusedtoitintime.Riseinyourstirrups.”
“I’mri-risingallthet-time,”saidFauntleroy.
Hewasbothrisingandfallingratheruncomfortablyandwithmanyshakesandbounces.Hewasoutofbreathandhisfacegrewred,butheheldonwithallhismight,andsatasstraightashecould.TheEarlcouldseethatfromhiswindow.Whentheriderscamebackwithinspeakingdistance,aftertheyhadbeenhiddenbythetreesafewminutes,Fauntleroy’shatwasoff,hischeekswerelikepoppies,andhislipswereset,buthewasstilltrottingmanfully.
“Stopaminute!”saidhisgrandfather.“Where’syourhat?”
Wilkinstouchedhis.“Itfelloff,yourlordship,”hesaid,withevidentenjoyment.“Wouldn’tletmestoptopickitup,mylord.”
“Notmuchafraid,ishe?”askedtheEarldryly.
“Him,yourlordship!”exclaimedWilkins.“Ishouldn’tsayasheknowedwhatitmeant.I’vetaughtyounggen’lementorideafore,an’Ineverseeonestickonmoredeterminder.”
“Tired?”saidtheEarltoFauntleroy.
