Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter I
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Then,littleashewas,heunderstoodthathisbig,handsomeyoungpapawouldnotcomebackanymore;thathewasdead,ashehadheardofotherpeoplebeing,althoughhecouldnotcomprehendexactlywhatstrangethinghadbroughtallthissadnessabout.Itwasbecausehismammaalwayscriedwhenhespokeofhispapathathesecretlymadeuphisminditwasbetternottospeakofhimveryoftentoher,andhefoundout,too,thatitwasbetternottolethersitstillandlookintothefireoroutofthewindowwithoutmovingortalking.Heandhismammaknewveryfewpeople,andlivedwhatmighthavebeenthoughtverylonelylives,althoughCedricdidnotknowitwaslonelyuntilhegrewolderandheardwhyitwastheyhadnovisitors.Thenhewastoldthathismammawasanorphan,andquitealoneintheworldwhenhispapahadmarriedher.Shewasverypretty,andhadbeenlivingascompaniontoaricholdladywhowasnotkindtoher,andonedayCaptainCedricErrol,whowascallingatthehouse,sawherrunupthestairswithtearsonhereyelashes;andshelookedsosweetandinnocentandsorrowfulthattheCaptaincouldnotforgether.Andaftermanystrangethingshadhappened,theykneweachotherwellandlovedeachotherdearly,andweremarried,althoughtheirmarriagebroughtthemtheill-willofseveralpersons.Theonewhowasmostangryofall,however,wastheCaptain’sfather,wholivedinEngland,andwasaveryrichandimportantoldnobleman,withaverybadtemperandaveryviolentdisliketoAmericaandAmericans.
