Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой

           Tojudgefromhisstoriesofhisownadventures,Jerryhadmadesometwoorthreethousandvoyages,andhadbeeninvariablyshipwreckedoneachoccasiononanislanddenselypopulatedwithbloodthirstycannibals.Judging,also,bythesesameexcitingadventures,hehadbeenpartiallyroastedandeatenfrequentlyandhadbeenscalpedsomefifteenortwentytimes.

           “Thatiswhyheissobald,”explainedLordFauntleroytohismamma.“Afteryouhavebeenscalpedseveraltimesthehairnevergrowsagain.Jerry’snevergrewagainafterthatlasttime,whentheKingoftheParromachaweekinsdiditwiththeknifemadeoutoftheskulloftheChiefoftheWopslemumpkies.Hesaysitwasoneofthemostserioustimesheeverhad.Hewassofrightenedthathishairstoodrightstraightupwhenthekingflourishedhisknife,anditneverwouldliedown,andthekingwearsitthatwaynow,anditlookssomethinglikeahair-brush.IneverheardanythingliketheasperiencesJerryhashad!IshouldsoliketotellMr.Hobbsaboutthem!”

           Sometimes,whentheweatherwasverydisagreeableandpeoplewerekeptbelowdecksinthesaloon,apartyofhisgrown-upfriendswouldpersuadehimtotellthemsomeofthese“asperiences”ofJerry’s,andashesatrelatingthemwithgreatdelightandfervor,therewascertainlynomorepopularvoyageronanyoceansteamercrossingtheAtlanticthanlittleLordFauntleroy.Hewasalwaysinnocentlyandgood-naturedlyreadytodohissmallbesttoaddtothegeneralentertainment,andtherewasacharmintheveryunconsciousnessofhisownchildishimportance.