Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter V
Youcouldleanonyourstickononeside,andonmeontheother.DicksaysI’veagooddealofmuscleforaboythat’sonlyseven.”
Heshuthishandandmoveditupwardtohisshoulder,sothattheEarlmightseethemuscleDickhadkindlyapprovedof,andhisfacewassograveandearnestthatthefootmanfounditnecessarytolookveryhardindeedattheuglypicture.
“Well,”saidtheEarl,“youmaytry.”
Cedricgavehimhisstickandbegantoassisthimtorise.Usually,thefootmandidthis,andwasviolentlyswornatwhenhislordshiphadanextratwingeofgout.TheEarlwasnotaverypolitepersonasarule,andmanyatimethehugefootmenabouthimquakedinsidetheirimposingliveries.
Butthiseveninghedidnotswear,thoughhisgoutyfootgavehimmoretwingesthanone.Hechosetotryanexperiment.Hegotupslowlyandputhishandonthesmallshoulderpresentedtohimwithsomuchcourage.LittleLordFauntleroymadeacarefulstepforward,lookingdownatthegoutyfoot.
“Justleanonme,”hesaid,withencouraginggoodcheer.“I’llwalkveryslowly.”
IftheEarlhadbeensupportedbythefootmanhewouldhaverestedlessonhisstickandmoreonhisassistant’sarm.Andyetitwaspartofhisexperimenttolethisgrandsonfeelhisburdenasnolightweight.Itwasquiteaheavyweightindeed,andafterafewstepshisyounglordship’sfacegrewquitehot,andhisheartbeatratherfast,buthebracedhimselfsturdily,rememberinghismuscleandDick’sapprovalofit.
“Don’tbeafraidofleaningonme,”hepanted.
