Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter X
“Probablytoberuinedastheotherswere,”shesaidtoherhusband,“unlesshismotherisgoodenoughandhasawillofherowntohelphertotakecareofhim.”
ButwhensheheardthatCedric’smotherhadbeenpartedfromhimshewasalmosttooindignantforwords.
“Itisdisgraceful,Harry!”shesaid.“Fancyachildofthatagebeingtakenfromhismother,andmadethecompanionofamanlikemybrother!Hewilleitherbebrutaltotheboyorindulgehimuntilheisalittlemonster.IfIthoughtitwoulddoanygoodtowrite——”
“Itwouldn’t,Constantia,”saidSirHarry.
“Iknowitwouldn’t,”sheanswered.“IknowhislordshiptheEarlofDorincourttoowell;—butitisoutrageous.”
NotonlythepoorpeopleandfarmersheardaboutlittleLordFauntleroy;othersknewhim.Hewastalkedaboutsomuchandthereweresomanystoriesofhim—ofhisbeauty,hissweettemper,hispopularity,andhisgrowinginfluenceovertheEarl,hisgrandfather—thatrumorsofhimreachedthegentryattheircountryplacesandhewasheardofinmorethanonecountyofEngland.Peopletalkedabouthimatthedinnertables,ladiespitiedhisyoungmother,andwonderediftheboywereashandsomeashewassaidtobe,andmenwhoknewtheEarlandhishabitslaughedheartilyatthestoriesofthelittlefellow’sbeliefinhislordship’samiability.SirThomasAssheofAsshaweHall,beinginErleborooneday,mettheEarlandhisgrandsonridingtogether,andstoppedtoshakehandswithmylordandcongratulatehimonhischangeoflooksandonhisrecoveryfromthegout.
