Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter XIII
“She’snolord’swife.Youmayeatme,ifitaintMinna—MINNA!I’dknowheranywheres,an’so’dBen.Jestaxhim.”
Mr.Hobbsdroppedintohisseat.
“Iknoweditwasaput-upjob,”hesaid.“Iknowedit;andtheydoneitonaccounto’himbein’a’Merican!”
“Doneit!”criedDick,withdisgust.“SHEdoneit,that’swhodoneit.Shewasallersuptohertricks;an’I’lltellyerwotcometome,theminnitIsawherpictur.Therewasoneo’thempaperswesawhadaletterinitthatsaidsomethin’’boutherboy,an’itsaidhehadascaronhischin.Putthemtwotogether—her’n’thattherescar!Why,thatthereboyo’hersaintnomorealordthanIam!It’sBEN’Sboy,—thelittlechapshehitwhensheletflythatplateatme.”
ProfessorDickTiptonhadalwaysbeenasharpboy,andearninghislivinginthestreetsofabigcityhadmadehimstillsharper.Hehadlearnedtokeephiseyesopenandhiswitsabouthim,anditmustbeconfessedheenjoyedimmenselytheexcitementandimpatienceofthatmoment.IflittleLordFauntleroycouldonlyhavelookedintothestorethatmorning,hewouldcertainlyhavebeeninterested,evenifallthediscussionandplanshadbeenintendedtodecidethefateofsomeotherboythanhimself.
Mr.Hobbswasalmostoverwhelmedbyhissenseofresponsibility,andDickwasallaliveandfullofenergy.HebegantowritealettertoBen,andhecutoutthepictureandinclosedittohim,andMr.HobbswrotealettertoCedricandonetotheEarl.Theywereinthemidstofthisletter-writingwhenanewideacametoDick.
