Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter V
“I’mallright—if—ifitisn’taverylongway.”
Itwasnotreallyveryfartothedining-room,butitseemedratheralongwaytoCedric,beforetheyreachedthechairattheheadofthetable.Thehandonhisshoulderseemedtogrowheavierateverystep,andhisfacegrewredderandhotter,andhisbreathshorter,butheneverthoughtofgivingup;hestiffenedhischildishmuscles,heldhisheaderect,andencouragedtheEarlashelimpedalong.
“Doesyourfoothurtyouverymuchwhenyoustandonit?”heasked.“Didyoueverputitinhotwaterandmustard?Mr.Hobbsusedtoputhisinhotwater.Arnicaisaverynicething,theytellme.”
Thebigdogstalkedslowlybesidethem,andthebigfootmanfollowed;severaltimeshelookedveryqueerashewatchedthelittlefiguremakingtheverymostofallitsstrength,andbearingitsburdenwithsuchgood-will.TheEarl,too,lookedratherqueer,once,asheglancedsidewisedownattheflushedlittleface.Whentheyenteredtheroomwheretheyweretodine,Cedricsawitwasaverylargeandimposingone,andthatthefootmanwhostoodbehindthechairattheheadofthetablestaredveryhardastheycamein.
Buttheyreachedthechairatlast.Thehandwasremovedfromhisshoulder,andtheEarlwasfairlyseated.
CedrictookoutDick’shandkerchiefandwipedhisforehead.
“It’sawarmnight,isn’tit?”hesaid.“Perhapsyouneedafirebecause—becauseofyourfoot,butitseemsjustalittlewarmtome.
