Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter X
“IthoughtDickwouldlikemetowearitataparty.”
Andqueerasthebig,flaming,spottedthingwas,therewasaserious,affectionatelookinhiseyes,whichpreventedhisaudiencefromlaughingverymuch.
“Yousee,Ilikeit,”hesaid,“becauseDickismyfriend.”
Butthoughhewastalkedtosomuch,astheEarlhadsaid,hewasinnoone’sway.Hecouldbequietandlistenwhenotherstalked,andsonoonefoundhimtiresome.Aslightsmilecrossedmorethanonefacewhenseveraltimeshewentandstoodnearhisgrandfather’schair,orsatonastoolclosetohim,watchinghimandabsorbingeverywordheutteredwiththemostcharmedinterest.Oncehestoodsonearthechair’sarmthathischeektouchedtheEarl’sshoulder,andhislordship,detectingthegeneralsmile,smiledalittlehimself.Heknewwhatthelookers-onwerethinking,andhefeltsomesecretamusementintheirseeingwhatgoodfriendshewaswiththisyoungster,whomighthavebeenexpectedtosharethepopularopinionofhim.
Mr.Havishamhadbeenexpectedtoarriveintheafternoon,but,strangetosay,hewaslate.SuchathinghadreallyneverbeenknowntohappenbeforeduringalltheyearsinwhichhehadbeenavisitoratDorincourtCastle.Hewassolatethattheguestswereonthepointofrisingtogointodinnerwhenhearrived.Whenheapproachedhishost,theEarlregardedhimwithamazement.Helookedasifhehadbeenhurriedoragitated;hisdry,keenoldfacewasactuallypale.
“Iwasdetained,”hesaid,inalowvoicetotheEarl,“by—anextraordinaryevent.
