Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter II
“I’veheardofhimeversinceIwasborn,andhewasknownabout,longbeforethat.Mr.Hobbssayshewillneverbeforgotten.That’sbecauseoftheDeclarationofIndependence,youknow,andtheFourthofJuly.Yousee,hewasaverybraveman.”
“ThefirstEarlofDorincourt,”saidMr.Havishamsolemnly,“wascreatedanearlfourhundredyearsago.”
“Well,well!”saidCeddie.“Thatwasalongtimeago!DidyoutellDearestthat?Itwouldint’rustherverymuch.We’lltellherwhenshecomesin.Shealwayslikestohearcur’usthings.Whatelsedoesanearldobesidesbeingcreated?”
“AgreatmanyofthemhavehelpedtogovernEngland.Someofthemhavebeenbravemenandhavefoughtingreatbattlesintheolddays.”
“Ishouldliketodothatmyself,”saidCedric.“Mypapawasasoldier,andhewasaverybraveman—asbraveasGeorgeWashington.Perhapsthatwasbecausehewouldhavebeenanearlifhehadn’tdied.Iamgladearlsarebrave.That’sagreat’vantage—tobeabraveman.OnceIusedtoberatherafraidofthings—inthedark,youknow;butwhenIthoughtaboutthesoldiersintheRevolutionandGeorgeWashington—itcuredme.”
“Thereisanotheradvantageinbeinganearl,sometimes,”saidMr.Havishamslowly,andhefixedhisshrewdeyesonthelittleboywitharathercuriousexpression.“Someearlshaveagreatdealofmoney.”
Hewascuriousbecausehewonderedifhisyoungfriendknewwhatthepowerofmoneywas.
“That’sagoodthingtohave,”saidCeddieinnocently.“IwishIhadagreatdealofmoney.”
“Doyou?”saidMr.
