Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter V
Perhapshewasatrifletired,ashisbed-timewasnearing,andperhapsaftertheexcitementofthelastfewdaysitwasnaturalheshouldbetired,soperhaps,too,thefeelingofwearinessbroughttohimavaguesenseoflonelinessintheremembrancethatto-nighthewasnottosleepathome,watchedoverbythelovingeyesofthat“bestfriend”ofhis.Theyhadalwaysbeen“bestfriends,”thisboyandhisyoungmother.Hecouldnothelpthinkingofher,andthemorehethoughtofherthelesswasheinclinedtotalk,andbythetimethedinnerwasatanendtheEarlsawthattherewasafaintshadowonhisface.ButCedricborehimselfwithexcellentcourage,andwhentheywentbacktothelibrary,thoughthetallfootmanwalkedononesideofhismaster,theEarl’shandrestedonhisgrandson’sshoulder,thoughnotsoheavilyasbefore.
Whenthefootmanleftthemalone,Cedricsatdownuponthehearth-rugnearDougal.Forafewminuteshestrokedthedog’searsinsilenceandlookedatthefire.
TheEarlwatchedhim.Theboy’seyeslookedwistfulandthoughtful,andonceortwicehegavealittlesigh.TheEarlsatstill,andkepthiseyesfixedonhisgrandson.
“Fauntleroy,”hesaidatlast,“whatareyouthinkingof?”
Fauntleroylookedupwithamanfuleffortatasmile.
“IwasthinkingaboutDearest,”hesaid;“and—andIthinkI’dbettergetupandwalkupanddowntheroom.”
Heroseup,andputhishandsinhissmallpockets,andbegantowalktoandfro.Hiseyeswereverybright,andhislipswerepressedtogether,buthekepthisheadupandwalkedfirmly.
