Oldal 114 [114]
94 LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY.
Go and get it,” said the Earl. .
It certainly was a novel entertainment this,;—making a com¬
panion of a child who offered to teach him to play games,—but the
very novelty of it amused him. There was a smile lurking about
the Earl’s mouth when Cedric came back with the box containing
the game, in his arms, and an expression of the most eager interest
on his face.
‘May I pull that little table over here to your chair? he asked.
‘Ring for Thomas,” said the Earl. ‘‘ He will place it for you.”
“Oh, I can do it myself,” answered Fauntleroy. “It’s not very
heavy.
“Very well,” replied his grandfather. The lurking smile deep¬
ened on the old man’s face as he watched the little fellow’s prepara¬
tions; there was such an absorbed interest in them. The small
table was dragged forward and placed by his chair, and the game
taken from its box and arranged upon it.
“It’s very interesting when you once begin,” said: Fauntleroy.
‘You see, the black pegs can be your side and the white ones mine.
. They re men, you know, and once round the field is a home run and
counts one — and these are the outs — and here is the first base and
that s the second and that ’s the third and that ’s the home base.
He entered into the details of explanation with the greatest
animation. He showed all the attitudes of pitcher and catcher and
batter in the real game, and gave a dramatic description of a
wonderful " hot ball” he had seen caught on the glorious occasion
on which he had witnessed a match in company with Mr. Hobbs.
His vigorous, graceful little body, his eager gestures, his simple
enjoyment of it all, were pleasant to behold.
When at last the explanations and illustrations were at an end
and the game began in good earnest, the Earl still found himself
entertained. His young companion was wholly absorbed; he played