Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter IV
“Alotofimpudentlittlebeggars,thoseAmericanchildren;I’veheardthatoftenenough.”
“Itisnotexactlyimpudenceinhiscase,”saidMr.Havisham.“Icanscarcelydescribewhatthedifferenceis.Hehaslivedmorewitholderpeoplethanwithchildren,andthedifferenceseemstobeamixtureofmaturityandchildishness.”
“Americanimpudence!”protestedtheEarl.“I’veheardofitbefore.Theycallitprecocityandfreedom.Beastly,impudentbadmanners;that’swhatitis!”
Mr.Havishamdranksomemoreport.Heseldomarguedwithhislordlypatron,—neverwhenhislordlypatron’snoblelegwasinflamedbygout.Atsuchtimesitwasalwaysbettertoleavehimalone.Sotherewasasilenceofafewmoments.ItwasMr.Havishamwhobrokeit.
“IhaveamessagetodeliverfromMrs.Errol,”heremarked.
“Idon’twantanyofhermessages!”growledhislordship;“thelessIhearofherthebetter.”
“Thisisaratherimportantone,”explainedthelawyer.“Sheprefersnottoaccepttheincomeyouproposedtosettleonher.”
TheEarlstartedvisibly.
“What’sthat?”hecriedout.“What’sthat?”
Mr.Havishamrepeatedhiswords.
“Shesaysitisnotnecessary,andthatastherelationsbetweenyouarenotfriendly——”
“Notfriendly!”ejaculatedmylordsavagely;“Ishouldsaytheywerenotfriendly!Ihatetothinkofher!Amercenary,sharp-voicedAmerican!Idon’twishtoseeher.”
“Mylord,”saidMr.Havisham,“youcanscarcelycallhermercenary.Shehasaskedfornothing.Shedoesnotacceptthemoneyyouofferher.
