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98 LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY.
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one that his lordship’s worst fears were realized, and twenty-two
chances to one that if the poor little fellow had disappointed him, the
Earl was even now in a tearing rage, and ready to vent all his ran¬
cor on the first person who called—which it appeared probable
would be his reverend self. |
Judge then of his amazement when, as Thomas opened the library
door, his ears were greeted by a delighted ring of childish laughter.
c That s two out!” shouted an excited, clear little voice. " You
see it s two out!” :
And there was the Earl's chair, and the gout-stool, and his foot
on it; and by him a small table and a game on it; and quite close
to him, actually leaning against his arm and his ungouty knee, was a
little boy with face glowing, and eyes dancing with excitement. “It s
two out!” the little stranger cried. "You had nt any luck that
time, had you?’ — And then they both recognized at once that some
one had come in. |
The Earl glanced around, knitting his shaggy eyebrows as he
had a trick of doing, and when he saw who it was, Mr. Mordaunt
was still more surprised to see that he looked even less disagreeable
than usual instead of more so. _ In fact, he looked almost as if he had
forgotten for the moment how disagreeable he was, and how unpleas¬
ant he really could make himself when he tried. 3
“Ah!” he said, in his harsh voice, but giving his hand rather
graciously. ‘‘Good-morning, Mordaunt. I’ve found a new employ¬
ment, you see.”
He put his other hand on Cedric’s shoulder,— perhaps deep
down in his heart there was a stir of gratified pride that it was such
an heir he -had to present; there was a spark of something like
pleasure in his eyes as he moved the boy slightly forward.
“This is the new Lord Fauntleroy,” he said. ‘‘ Fauntleroy, this
is Mr. Mordaunt, the rector of the parish.”