Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter V
”
Andoneofthefootmensuddenlyturnedasideandgaveasingularlittlecoughbehindhishand.
Cedricfinishedhisdinnerfirst,andthenheleanedbackinhischairandtookasurveyoftheroom.
“Youmustbeveryproudofyourhouse,”hesaid,“it’ssuchabeautifulhouse.Ineversawanythingsobeautiful;but,ofcourse,asI’monlyseven,Ihaven’tseenmuch.”
“AndyouthinkImustbeproudofit,doyou?”saidtheEarl.
“Ishouldthinkanyonewouldbeproudofit,”repliedLordFauntleroy.“Ishouldbeproudofitifitweremyhouse.Everythingaboutitisbeautiful.Andthepark,andthosetrees,—howbeautifultheyare,andhowtheleavesrustle!”
Thenhepausedaninstantandlookedacrossthetableratherwistfully.
“It’saverybighouseforjusttwopeopletolivein,isn’tit?”hesaid.
“Itisquitelargeenoughfortwo,”answeredtheEarl.“Doyoufindittoolarge?”
Hislittlelordshiphesitatedamoment.
“Iwasonlythinking,”hesaid,“thatiftwopeoplelivedinitwhowerenotverygoodcompanions,theymightfeellonelysometimes.”
“DoyouthinkIshallmakeagoodcompanion?”inquiredtheEarl.
“Yes,”repliedCedric,“Ithinkyouwill.Mr.HobbsandIweregreatfriends.HewasthebestfriendIhadexceptDearest.”
TheEarlmadeaquickmovementofhisbushyeyebrows.
“WhoisDearest?”
“Sheismymother,”saidLordFauntleroy,inaratherlow,quietlittlevoice.
