Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой

           Theymadequiteadecentuproar,andoneortwomotherlywomenlookedtenderlyatthelittlefellowwherehestood,withhismotherononesideandtheEarlontheother,andgrewquitemoistabouttheeyes,andsaidtooneanother:

           “Godblesshim,theprettylittledear!”

           LittleLordFauntleroywasdelighted.Hestoodandsmiled,andmadebows,andflushedrosyredwithpleasureuptotherootsofhisbrighthair.

           “Isitbecausetheylikeme,Dearest?”hesaidtohismother.“Isit,Dearest?I’msoglad!”

           AndthentheEarlputhishandonthechild’sshoulderandsaidtohim:

           “Fauntleroy,saytothemthatyouthankthemfortheirkindness.”

           Fauntleroygaveaglanceupathimandthenathismother.

           “MustI?”heaskedjustatrifleshyly,andshesmiled,andsodidMissHerbert,andtheybothnodded.Andsohemadealittlestepforward,andeverybodylookedathim—suchabeautiful,innocentlittlefellowhewas,too,withhisbrave,trustfulface!—andhespokeasloudlyashecould,hischildishvoiceringingoutquiteclearandstrong.

           “I’meversomuchobligedtoyou!”hesaid,“and—Ihopeyou’llenjoymybirthday—becauseI’veenjoyeditsomuch—and—I’mverygladI’mgoingtobeanearl;Ididn’tthinkatfirstIshouldlikeit,butnowIdo—andIlovethisplaceso,andIthinkitisbeautiful—and—and—andwhenIamanearl,Iamgoingtotrytobeasgoodasmygrandfather