Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter IX
AndIwasjustlookingatallthosehouses,andthinkinghowIshouldhavetofindoutaboutthepeople,whenIwasanearl.Howdidyoufindoutaboutthem?”
Ashislordship’sknowledgeofhistenantryconsistedinfindingoutwhichofthempaidtheirrentpromptly,andinturningoutthosewhodidnot,thiswasratherahardquestion.“Newickfindsoutforme,”hesaid,andhepulledhisgreatgraymustache,andlookedathissmallquestionerratheruneasily.“Wewillgohomenow,”headded;“andwhenyouareanearl,seetoitthatyouareabetterearlthanIhavebeen!”
Hewasverysilentastheyrodehome.Hefeltittobealmostincrediblethathewhohadneverreallylovedanyoneinhislife,shouldfindhimselfgrowingsofondofthislittlefellow,—aswithoutdoubthewas.AtfirsthehadonlybeenpleasedandproudofCedric’sbeautyandbravery,buttherewassomethingmorethanprideinhisfeelingnow.Helaughedagrim,drylaughalltohimselfsometimes,whenhethoughthowhelikedtohavetheboynearhim,howhelikedtohearhisvoice,andhowinsecrethereallywishedtobelikedandthoughtwellofbyhissmallgrandson.
“I’manoldfellowinmydotage,andIhavenothingelsetothinkof,”hewouldsaytohimself;andyetheknewitwasnotthataltogether.Andifhehadallowedhimselftoadmitthetruth,hewouldperhapshavefoundhimselfobligedtoownthattheverythingswhichattractedhim,inspiteofhimself,werethequalitieshehadneverpossessed—thefrank,true,kindlynature,theaffectionatetrustfulnesswhichcouldneverthinkevil.
