Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой

           Helivedhissimple,happy,childlife,—frolickingaboutinthepark;chasingtherabbitstotheirburrows;lyingunderthetreesonthegrass,orontheruginthelibrary,readingwonderfulbooksandtalkingtotheEarlaboutthem,andthentellingthestoriesagaintohismother;writinglongletterstoDickandMr.Hobbs,whorespondedincharacteristicfashion;ridingoutathisgrandfather’sside,orwithWilkinsasescort.Astheyrodethroughthemarkettown,heusedtoseethepeopleturnandlook,andhenoticedthatastheyliftedtheirhatstheirfacesoftenbrightenedverymuch;buthethoughtitwasallbecausehisgrandfatherwaswithhim.

           “Theyaresofondofyou,”heoncesaid,lookingupathislordshipwithabrightsmile.“Doyouseehowgladtheyarewhentheyseeyou?Ihopetheywillsomedaybeasfondofme.ItmustbenicetohaveEVERYbodylikeyou.”Andhefeltquiteproudtobethegrandsonofsogreatlyadmiredandbelovedanindividual.

           Whenthecottageswerebeingbuilt,theladandhisgrandfatherusedtorideovertoEarl’sCourttogethertolookatthem,andFauntleroywasfullofinterest.Hewoulddismountfromhisponyandgoandmakeacquaintancewiththeworkmen,askingthemquestionsaboutbuildingandbricklaying,andtellingthemthingsaboutAmerica.Aftertwoorthreesuchconversations,hewasabletoenlightentheEarlonthesubjectofbrick-making,astheyrodehome.

           “Ialwaysliketoknowaboutthingslikethose,”hesaid,“becauseyouneverknowwhatyouarecomingto.