Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой

           Sheknewhowthisfirst“strangeness”mustfeeltothislittlemotherwhohadleftherownlandandwasabouttogiveupherchild.

           TheEnglishservantslookedwithcuriosityatboththeboyandhismother.Theyhadheardallsortsofrumorsaboutthemboth;theyknewhowangrytheoldEarlhadbeen,andwhyMrs.Errolwastoliveatthelodgeandherlittleboyatthecastle;theyknewallaboutthegreatfortunehewastoinherit,andaboutthesavageoldgrandfatherandhisgoutandhistempers.

           “He’llhavenoeasytimeofit,poorlittlechap,”theyhadsaidamongthemselves.

           Buttheydidnotknowwhatsortofalittlelordhadcomeamongthem;theydidnotquiteunderstandthecharacterofthenextEarlofDorincourt.

           Hepulledoffhisovercoatquiteasifhewereusedtodoingthingsforhimself,andbegantolookabouthim.Helookedaboutthebroadhall,atthepicturesandstags’antlersandcuriousthingsthatornamentedit.Theyseemedcurioustohimbecausehehadneverseensuchthingsbeforeinaprivatehouse.

           “Dearest,”hesaid,“thisisaveryprettyhouse,isn’tit?Iamgladyouaregoingtolivehere.It’squitealargehouse.”

           ItwasquitealargehousecomparedtotheoneintheshabbyNewYorkstreet,anditwasveryprettyandcheerful.Maryledthemupstairstoabrightchintz-hungbedroomwhereafirewasburning,andalargesnow-whitePersiancatwassleepingluxuriouslyonthewhitefurhearth-rug.

           “Itwasthehouse-kaperupattheCastle,ma’am,sinthertoyez,”explainedMary.