Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter V
Sotheoldmanleanedbackinhischair,andledhisyoungcompanionontotellinghimstillmoreofhimself,andwiththatoddgleaminhiseyeswatchedthelittlefellowashetalked.LordFauntleroywasquitewillingtoanswerallhisquestionsandchattedoninhisgeniallittlewayquitecomposedly.HetoldhimallaboutDickandJake,andtheapple-woman,andMr.Hobbs;hedescribedtheRepublicanRallyinallthegloryofitsbannersandtransparencies,torchesandrockets.Inthecourseoftheconversation,hereachedtheFourthofJulyandtheRevolution,andwasjustbecomingenthusiastic,whenhesuddenlyrecollectedsomethingandstoppedveryabruptly.
“Whatisthematter?”demandedhisgrandfather.“Whydon’tyougoon?”
LordFauntleroymovedratheruneasilyinhischair.ItwasevidenttotheEarlthathewasembarrassedbythethoughtwhichhadjustoccurredtohim.
“Iwasjustthinkingthatperhapsyoumightn’tlikeit,”hereplied.“Perhapssomeonebelongingtoyoumighthavebeenthere.IforgotyouwereanEnglishman.”
“Youcangoon,”saidmylord.“Noonebelongingtomewasthere.YouforgotyouwereanEnglishman,too.”
“Oh!no,”saidCedricquickly.“I’manAmerican!”
“YouareanEnglishman,”saidtheEarlgrimly.“YourfatherwasanEnglishman.”
Itamusedhimalittletosaythis,butitdidnotamuseCedric.Theladhadneverthoughtofsuchadevelopmentasthis.Hefelthimselfgrowquitehotuptotherootsofhishair.
“IwasborninAmerica,”heprotested.“YouhavetobeanAmericanifyouareborninAmerica.
