Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой

           Graduallyshehadbeguntosee,ashadothers,thatithadbeenherboy’sgoodfortunetopleasetheEarlverymuch,andthathewouldscarcelybelikelytobedeniedanythingforwhichheexpressedadesire.

           “TheEarlwouldgivehimanything,”shesaidtoMr.Mordaunt.“Hewouldindulgehiseverywhim.Whyshouldnotthatindulgencebeusedforthegoodofothers?Itisformetoseethatthisshallcometopass.”

           Sheknewshecouldtrustthekind,childishheart;soshetoldthelittlefellowthestoryofEarl’sCourt,feelingsurethathewouldspeakofittohisgrandfather,andhopingthatsomegoodresultswouldfollow.

           Andstrangeasitappearedtoeveryone,goodresultsdidfollow.

           ThefactwasthatthestrongestpowertoinfluencetheEarlwashisgrandson’sperfectconfidenceinhim—thefactthatCedricalwaysbelievedthathisgrandfatherwasgoingtodowhatwasrightandgenerous.Hecouldnotquitemakeuphismindtolethimdiscoverthathehadnoinclinationtobegenerousatall,andthathewantedhisownwayonalloccasions,whetheritwasrightorwrong.Itwassuchanoveltytoberegardedwithadmirationasabenefactoroftheentirehumanrace,andthesoulofnobility,thathedidnotenjoytheideaoflookingintotheaffectionatebrowneyes,andsaying:“Iamaviolent,selfisholdrascal;Ineverdidagenerousthinginmylife,andIdon’tcareaboutEarl’sCourtorthepoorpeople”—orsomethingwhichwouldamounttothesamething.