Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой

           “Imighthaveknownit,”hesaid.“Theywereadisgracetomefromtheirfirsthour!Ihatedthemboth;andtheyhatedme!Beviswastheworseofthetwo.Iwillnotbelievethisyet,though!Iwillcontendagainstittothelast.ButitislikeBevis—itislikehim!”

           Andthenheragedagainandaskedquestionsaboutthewoman,aboutherproofs,andpacingtheroom,turnedfirstwhiteandthenpurpleinhisrepressedfury.

           Whenatlasthehadlearnedalltherewastobetold,andknewtheworst,Mr.Havishamlookedathimwithafeelingofanxiety.Helookedbrokenandhaggardandchanged.Hisrageshadalwaysbeenbadforhim,butthisonehadbeenworsethantherestbecausetherehadbeensomethingmorethanrageinit.

           Hecameslowlybacktothesofa,atlast,andstoodnearit.

           “IfanyonehadtoldmeIcouldbefondofachild,”hesaid,hisharshvoicelowandunsteady,“Ishouldnothavebelievedthem.Ialwaysdetestedchildren—myownmorethantherest.Iamfondofthisone;heisfondofme”(withabittersmile).“Iamnotpopular;Ineverwas.Butheisfondofme.Heneverwasafraidofme—healwaystrustedme.HewouldhavefilledmyplacebetterthanIhavefilledit.Iknowthat.Hewouldhavebeenanhonortothename.”

           Hebentdownandstoodaminuteorsolookingatthehappy,sleepingface.Hisshaggyeyebrowswereknittedfiercely,andyetsomehowhedidnotseemfierceatall.Heputuphishand,pushedthebrighthairbackfromtheforehead,andthenturnedawayandrangthebell.

           Whenthelargestfootmanappeared,hepointedtothesofa