Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter V
Astrangerlookingonmightwellhavesmiledatthepicture,—thegreatstatelyroom,thebigliveriedservants,thebrightlights,theglitteringsilverandglass,thefierce-lookingoldnoblemanattheheadofthetableandtheverysmallboyatthefoot.DinnerwasusuallyaveryseriousmatterwiththeEarl—anditwasaveryseriousmatterwiththecook,ifhislordshipwasnotpleasedorhadanindifferentappetite.To-day,however,hisappetiteseemedatriflebetterthanusual,perhapsbecausehehadsomethingtothinkofbesidetheflavoroftheentreesandthemanagementofthegravies.Hisgrandsongavehimsomethingtothinkof.Hekeptlookingathimacrossthetable.Hedidnotsayverymuchhimself,buthemanagedtomaketheboytalk.Hehadneverimaginedthathecouldbeentertainedbyhearingachildtalk,butLordFauntleroyatoncepuzzledandamusedhim,andhekeptrememberinghowhehadletthechildishshoulderfeelhisweightjustforthesakeoftryinghowfartheboy’scourageandendurancewouldgo,anditpleasedhimtoknowthathisgrandsonhadnotquailedandhadnotseemedtothinkevenforamomentofgivingupwhathehadundertakentodo.
“Youdon’twearyourcoronetallthetime?”remarkedLordFauntleroyrespectfully.
“No,”repliedtheEarl,withhisgrimsmile;“itisnotbecomingtome.”
“Mr.Hobbssaidyoualwaysworeit,”saidCedric;“butafterhethoughtitover,hesaidhesupposedyoumustsometimestakeitofftoputyourhaton.”
“Yes,”saidtheEarl,“Itakeitoffoccasionally.
