Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter IV
“It’sherselfisakind-heartedladyan’hashadiverythingdonetoprepar’furyez.Iseenhermeselfafewminnits,an’shewasfondavtheCapt’in,ma’am,an’graivsfurhim;andshesaidtosaythebigcatslapin’ontherugmoightmaketheroomsamehomeloiketoyez.SheknowedCapt’inErrolwhinhewasabye—an’afoinehandsum’byesheseshewas,an’afoineyoungmanwidaplisintwordfureveryone,greatan’shmall.An’sesItoher,sesI:’He’sliftabyethat’sloikehim,ma’am,furafoinerlittlefellyniversthippedinshoe-leather.”’
Whentheywereready,theywentdownstairsintoanotherbigbrightroom;itsceilingwaslow,andthefurniturewasheavyandbeautifullycarved,thechairsweredeepandhadhighmassivebacks,andtherewerequeershelvesandcabinetswithstrange,prettyornamentsonthem.Therewasagreattiger-skinbeforethefire,andanarm-chaironeachsideofit.ThestatelywhitecathadrespondedtoLordFauntleroy’sstrokingandfollowedhimdownstairs,andwhenhethrewhimselfdownupontherug,shecurledherselfupgrandlybesidehimasifsheintendedtomakefriends.Cedricwassopleasedthatheputhisheaddownbyhers,andlaystrokingher,notnoticingwhathismotherandMr.Havishamweresaying.
Theywere,indeed,speakinginaratherlowtone.Mrs.Errollookedalittlepaleandagitated.
“Heneednotgoto-night?”shesaid.“Hewillstaywithmeto-night?”
“Yes,”answeredMr.Havishaminthesamelowtone;“itwillnotbenecessaryforhimtogoto-night.
