Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter II
“ThreecheersforCeddieErrol!”yelledthelittleboys.“HoorayforCeddieErrol!”
Mr.Havishamdrewhisheadinatthewindowofhiscoupeandleanedbackwithadrysmile.
“Bravo,LordFauntleroy!”hesaid.
AshiscarriagestoppedbeforethedoorofMrs.Errol’shouse,thevictorandthevanquishedwerecomingtowardit,attendedbytheclamoringcrew.CedricwalkedbyBillyWilliamsandwasspeakingtohim.Hiselatedlittlefacewasveryred,hiscurlsclungtohishot,moistforehead,hishandswereinhispockets.
“Yousee,”hewassaying,evidentlywiththeintentionofmakingdefeateasyforhisunsuccessfulrival,“IguessIwonbecausemylegsarealittlelongerthanyours.Iguessthatwasit.Yousee,I’mthreedaysolderthanyou,andthatgivesmea’vantage.I’mthreedaysolder.”
AndthisviewofthecaseseemedtocheerBillyWilliamssomuchthathebegantosmileontheworldagain,andfeltabletoswaggeralittle,almostasifhehadwontheraceinsteadoflosingit.Somehow,CeddieErrolhadawayofmakingpeoplefeelcomfortable.Eveninthefirstflushofhistriumphs,herememberedthatthepersonwhowasbeatenmightnotfeelsogayashedid,andmightliketothinkthatheMIGHThavebeenthewinnerunderdifferentcircumstances.
ThatmorningMr.Havishamhadquitealongconversationwiththewinneroftherace—aconversationwhichmadehimsmilehisdrysmile,andrubhischinwithhisbonyhandseveraltimes.
Mrs.Errolhadbeencalledoutoftheparlor,andthelawyerandCedricwerelefttogether.AtfirstMr.
