Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой

           Hobbsdidnotexplainthathewouldnothaveknownoneifhesawit.Hemerelyshookhisheadponderously.

           “Is’posethereisverylittlecallfor’em,”hesaid,andthatendedthematter.

           Thiswasthebeginningofquiteasubstantialfriendship.WhenDickwentuptothestore,Mr.Hobbsreceivedhimwithgreathospitality.Hegavehimachairtiltedagainstthedoor,nearabarrelofapples,andafterhisyoungvisitorwasseated,hemadeajerkatthemwiththehandinwhichheheldhispipe,saying:

           “Helpyerself.”

           Thenhelookedatthestorypapers,andafterthattheyreadanddiscussedtheBritisharistocracy;andMr.Hobbssmokedhispipeveryhardandshookhisheadagreatdeal.Heshookitmostwhenhepointedoutthehighstoolwiththemarksonitslegs.

           “There’shisverykicks,”hesaidimpressively;“hisverykicks.Isitandlookat’embythehour.Thisisaworldofupsan’it’saworldofdowns.Why,he’dsetthere,an’eatcrackersoutofabox,an’applesoutofabarrel,an’pitchhiscoresintothestreet;an’nowhe’salorda-livin’inacastle.Them’salord’skicks;they’llbeaearl’skickssomeday.SometimesIsaystomyself,saysI,’Well,I’llbejiggered!’”

           HeseemedtoderiveagreatdealofcomfortfromhisreflectionsandDick’svisit.BeforeDickwenthome,theyhadasupperinthesmallback-room;theyhadcrackersandcheeseandsardines,andothercannedthingsoutofthestore,andMr.Hobbssolemnlyopenedtwobottlesofgingerale,andpouringouttwoglasses,proposedatoast.