Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter II
Hesaysallhewantsistostartoutfair.”
Therecouldhavebeennothingmoreconfidingandinnocentthanthewayinwhichhissmalllordshiptoldhislittlestory,quotinghisfriendDick’sbitsofslanginthemostcandidgoodfaith.Heseemedtofeelnotashadeofadoubtthathiselderlycompanionwouldbejustasinterestedashewashimself.AndintruthMr.Havishamwasbeginningtobegreatlyinterested;butperhapsnotquitesomuchinDickandtheapple-womanasinthiskindlittlelordling,whosecurlyheadwassobusy,underitsyellowthatch,withgood-naturedplansforhisfriends,andwhoseemedsomehowtohaveforgottenhimselfaltogether.
“Isthereanything——”hebegan.“Whatwouldyougetforyourself,ifyouwererich?”
“Lotsofthings!”answeredLordFauntleroybriskly;“butfirstI’dgiveMarysomemoneyforBridget—that’shersister,withtwelvechildren,andahusbandoutofwork.Shecomeshereandcries,andDearestgivesherthingsinabasket,andthenshecriesagain,andsays:’Blessin’sbeonyez,forabeautifullady.’AndIthinkMr.Hobbswouldlikeagoldwatchandchaintoremembermeby,andameerschaumpipe.AndthenI’dliketogetupacompany.”
“Acompany!”exclaimedMr.Havisham.
“LikeaRepublicanrally,”explainedCedric,becomingquiteexcited.“I’dhavetorchesanduniformsandthingsforalltheboysandmyself,too.Andwe’dmarch,youknow,anddrill.That’swhatIshouldlikeformyself,ifIwererich.”
ThedooropenedandMrs.Errolcamein.
