Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter XIII
Imgoingtolookthisthingup.KeepquietandIllseealawyeranddoallIcanAndiftheworsthappensandthemearlsistoomanyforustheresapartnershipinthegrocerybusinessreadyforyouwhenyureoldenoughandahomeandafriendin
“Yrstruly,
“SILASHOBBS.”
“Well,”saidMr.Hobbs,“he’spervidedforbetweenus,ifheaintaearl.”
“Soheis,”saidDick.“I’dha’stoodbyhim.BlestifIdidn’tlikethatlittlefellerfust-rate.”
Theverynextmorning,oneofDick’scustomerswasrathersurprised.Hewasayounglawyerjustbeginningpractice—aspoorasaveryyounglawyercanpossiblybe,butabright,energeticyoungfellow,withsharpwitandagoodtemper.HehadashabbyofficenearDick’sstand,andeverymorningDickblackedhisbootsforhim,andquiteoftentheywerenotexactlywater-tight,buthealwayshadafriendlywordorajokeforDick.
Thatparticularmorning,whenheputhisfootontherest,hehadanillustratedpaperinhishand—anenterprisingpaper,withpicturesinitofconspicuouspeopleandthings.Hehadjustfinishedlookingitover,andwhenthelastbootwaspolished,hehandeditovertotheboy.
“Here’sapaperforyou,Dick,”hesaid;“youcanlookitoverwhenyoudropinatDelmonico’sforyourbreakfast.PictureofanEnglishcastleinit,andanEnglishearl’sdaughter-in-law.Fineyoungwoman,too,—lotsofhair,—thoughsheseemstoberaisingratherarow.Yououghttobecomefamiliarwiththenobilityandgentry,Dick.BeginontheRightHonorabletheEarlofDorincourtandLadyFauntleroy.
