Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой

           AfterseeingthatrepulsivewomanwhocallsherselfthewifeofmysonBevis,Iactuallyfeltitwouldbearelieftolookatyou.Ihavebeenanobstinateoldfool,andIsupposeIhavetreatedyoubadly.Youareliketheboy,andtheboyisthefirstobjectinmylife.Iammiserable,andIcametoyoumerelybecauseyouareliketheboy,andhecaresforyou,andIcareforhim.Treatmeaswellasyoucan,fortheboy’ssake.”

           Hesaiditallinhisharshvoice,andalmostroughly,butsomehowheseemedsobrokendownforthetimethatMrs.Errolwastouchedtotheheart.Shegotupandmovedanarm-chairalittleforward.

           “Iwishyouwouldsitdown,”shesaidinasoft,pretty,sympatheticway.“Youhavebeensomuchtroubledthatyouareverytired,andyouneedallyourstrength.”

           Itwasjustasnewtohimtobespokentoandcaredforinthatgentle,simplewayasitwastobecontradicted.Hewasremindedof“theboy”again,andheactuallydidassheaskedhim.Perhapshisdisappointmentandwretchednessweregooddisciplineforhim;ifhehadnotbeenwretchedhemighthavecontinuedtohateher,butjustatpresenthefoundheralittlesoothing.AlmostanythingwouldhaveseemedpleasantbycontrastwithLadyFauntleroy;andthisonehadsosweetafaceandvoice,andaprettydignitywhenshespokeormoved.Verysoon,throughthequietmagicoftheseinfluences,hebegantofeellessgloomy,andthenhetalkedstillmore.

           “Whateverhappens,”hesaid,“theboyshallbeprovidedfor.Heshallbetakencareof,nowandinthefuture.”

           Beforehewentaway,heglancedaroundtheroom