Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой

           But,whatsoeverhismood,heneverfailedtomakeasmanysarcasticandembarrassingspeechesaspossible,andtocausetheReverendMr.MordaunttowishitwereproperandChristian-liketothrowsomethingheavyathim.DuringalltheyearsinwhichMr.MordaunthadbeeninchargeofDorincourtparish,therectorcertainlydidnotrememberhavingseenhislordship,ofhisownfreewill,doanyoneakindness,or,underanycircumstanceswhatever,showthathethoughtofanyonebuthimself.

           Hehadcalledto-daytospeaktohimofaspeciallypressingcase,andashehadwalkeduptheavenue,hehad,fortworeasons,dreadedhisvisitmorethanusual.Inthefirstplace,heknewthathislordshiphadforseveraldaysbeensufferingwiththegout,andhadbeeninsovillainousahumorthatrumorsofithadevenreachedthevillage—carriedtherebyoneoftheyoungwomenservants,tohersister,whokeptalittleshopandretaileddarning-needlesandcottonandpeppermintsandgossip,asameansofearninganhonestliving.WhatMrs.DibbledidnotknowabouttheCastleanditsinmates,andthefarm-housesandtheirinmates,andthevillageanditspopulation,wasreallynotworthbeingtalkedabout.AndofcourseshekneweverythingabouttheCastle,becausehersister,JaneShorts,wasoneoftheupperhousemaids,andwasveryfriendlyandintimatewithThomas.

           “Andthewayhislordshipdogoon!”saidMrs.Dibble,overthecounter,“andthewayhedouselanguage,Mr.ThomastoldJaneherself,nofleshandbloodasisinliverycouldstand—forthrowaplateoftoastatMr.