Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter II
“Thetorch-lightprocessionsarefivemileslong,andtheyshootuprockets,andthebandplays!Mr.Hobbstookmetoseethem.”
“Anearl,”Mr.Havishamwenton,feelingratheruncertainofhisground,“isfrequentlyofveryancientlineage——”
“What’sthat?”askedCeddie.
“Ofveryoldfamily—extremelyold.”
“Ah!”saidCedric,thrustinghishandsdeeperintohispockets.“Isupposethatisthewaywiththeapple-womannearthepark.Idaresaysheisofancientlin-lenage.Sheissoolditwouldsurpriseyouhowshecanstandup.She’sahundred,Ishouldthink,andyetsheisouttherewhenitrains,even.I’msorryforher,andsoaretheotherboys.BillyWilliamsoncehadnearlyadollar,andIaskedhimtobuyfivecents’worthofapplesfromhereverydayuntilhehadspentitall.Thatmadetwentydays,andhegrewtiredofapplesafteraweek;butthen—itwasquitefortunate—agentlemangavemefiftycentsandIboughtapplesfromherinstead.Youfeelsorryforanyonethat’ssopoorandhassuchancientlin-lenage.Shesayshershasgoneintoherbonesandtherainmakesitworse.”
Mr.Havishamfeltratheratalossashelookedathiscompanion’sinnocent,seriouslittleface.
“Iamafraidyoudidnotquiteunderstandme,”heexplained.“WhenIsaid’ancientlineage’Ididnotmeanoldage;Imeantthatthenameofsuchafamilyhasbeenknownintheworldalongtime;perhapsforhundredsofyearspersonsbearingthatnamehavebeenknownandspokenofinthehistoryoftheircountry.”
“LikeGeorgeWashington,”saidCeddie.
