Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter IV
Havishamdrankalittleoftheglassofporthehadpouredoutforhimself,andsatholdingitinhishand.
“Itisratherdifficulttojudgeofthecharacterofachildofseven,”hesaidcautiously.
TheEarl’sprejudiceswereveryintense.Helookedupquicklyandutteredaroughword.
“Afool,ishe?”heexclaimed.“Oraclumsycub?HisAmericanbloodtells,doesit?”
“Idonotthinkithasinjuredhim,mylord,”repliedthelawyerinhisdry,deliberatefashion.“Idon’tknowmuchaboutchildren,butIthoughthimratherafinelad.”
Hismannerofspeechwasalwaysdeliberateandunenthusiastic,buthemadeitatriflemoresothanusual.HehadashrewdfancythatitwouldbebetterthattheEarlshouldjudgeforhimself,andbequiteunpreparedforhisfirstinterviewwithhisgrandson.
“Healthyandwell-grown?”askedmylord.
“Apparentlyveryhealthy,andquitewell-grown,”repliedthelawyer.
“Straight-limbedandwellenoughtolookat?”demandedtheEarl.
AveryslightsmiletouchedMr.Havisham’sthinlips.Thereroseupbeforehismind’seyethepicturehehadleftatCourtLodge,—thebeautiful,gracefulchild’sbodylyinguponthetiger-skinincarelesscomfort—thebright,tumbledhairspreadontherug—thebright,rosyboy’sface.
“Ratherahandsomeboy,Ithink,mylord,asboysgo,”hesaid,“thoughIamscarcelyajudge,perhaps.ButyouwillfindhimsomewhatdifferentfrommostEnglishchildren,Idaresay.”
“Ihaven’tadoubtofthat,”snarledtheEarl,atwingeofgoutseizinghim.
