Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter XV
“Itseemsapitymybirthdaywasn’tontheFourth,doesn’tit?Forthenwecouldkeepthembothtogether.”
ItmustbeconfessedthatatfirsttheEarlandMr.Hobbswerenotasintimateasitmighthavebeenhopedtheywouldbecome,intheinterestsoftheBritisharistocracy.ThefactwasthattheEarlhadknownveryfewgrocery-men,andMr.Hobbshadnothadmanyverycloseacquaintanceswhowereearls;andsointheirrareinterviewsconversationdidnotflourish.ItmustalsobeownedthatMr.HobbshadbeenratheroverwhelmedbythesplendorsFauntleroyfeltithisdutytoshowhim.
TheentrancegateandthestonelionsandtheavenueimpressedMr.Hobbssomewhatatthebeginning,andwhenhesawtheCastle,andtheflower-gardens,andthehot-houses,andtheterraces,andthepeacocks,andthedungeon,andthearmor,andthegreatstaircase,andthestables,andtheliveriedservants,hereallywasquitebewildered.Butitwasthepicturegallerywhichseemedtobethefinishingstroke.
“Somethin’inthemannerofamuseum?”hesaidtoFauntleroy,whenhewasledintothegreat,beautifulroom.
“N—no—!”saidFauntleroy,ratherdoubtfully.“Idon’tTHINKit’samuseum.Mygrandfathersaysthesearemyancestors.”
“Youraunt’ssisters!”ejaculatedMr.Hobbs.
