Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой

           Havishamwonderedwhatheshouldsaytohissmallcompanion.HehadanideathatperhapsitwouldbebesttosayseveralthingswhichmightprepareCedricformeetinghisgrandfather,and,perhaps,forthegreatchangethatwastocometohim.HecouldseethatCedrichadnottheleastideaofthesortofthinghewastoseewhenhereachedEngland,orofthesortofhomethatwaitedforhimthere.Hedidnotevenknowyetthathismotherwasnottoliveinthesamehousewithhim.Theyhadthoughtitbesttolethimgetoverthefirstshockbeforetellinghim.

           Mr.Havishamsatinanarm-chairononesideoftheopenwindow;ontheothersidewasanotherstilllargerchair,andCedricsatinthatandlookedatMr.Havisham.Hesatwellbackinthedepthsofhisbigseat,hiscurlyheadagainstthecushionedback,hislegscrossed,andhishandsthrustdeepintohispockets,inaquiteMr.Hobbs-likeway.HehadbeenwatchingMr.Havishamverysteadilywhenhismammahadbeenintheroom,andaftershewasgonehestilllookedathiminrespectfulthoughtfulness.TherewasashortsilenceafterMrs.Errolwentout,andCedricseemedtobestudyingMr.Havisham,andMr.HavishamwascertainlystudyingCedric.Hecouldnotmakeuphismindastowhatanelderlygentlemanshouldsaytoalittleboywhowonraces,andworeshortknickerbockersandredstockingsonlegswhichwerenotlongenoughtohangoverabigchairwhenhesatwellbackinit.

           ButCedricrelievedhimbysuddenlybeginningtheconversationhimself.

           “Doyouknow,”hesaid,“Idon’tknowwhatanearlis?”

           “Don’tyou?”saidMr.Havisham.