Stranica 120 [120]
IOO LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY.
This was not as bad as Mr. Mordaunt had expected, but he
hesitated a second before he began.
“It is Higgins,” he said; " Higgins of Edge Farm. He has
been very unfortunate. He was ill himself last autumn, and his
children had scarlet fever. I can’t say that he is a very good
manager, but he has had ill-luck, and of course he is behindhand in
many ways. He is in trouble about his rent now. Newick tells
him if he does nt pay it, he must leave the place; and of course
that would be a very serious matter. His wife is ill, and he came to
me yesterday to beg me to see about it, and ask you for time. He
thinks if you would give him time he could catch up again.”
“They all think that,” said the Earl, looking rather black.
Fauntleroy made a movement forward. He had been standing
between his grandfather and the visitor, listening with all his might.
He had begun to be interested in Higgins at once. He wondered
how many children there were, and if the scarlet fever had hurt
them very much. His eyes were wide open and were fixed upon
Mr. Mordaunt with intent interest as that gentleman went on with
the conversation.
‘Higgins is a well-meaning man,” said the rector, making an
effort to strengthen his plea.
‘He is a bad enough tenant,” replied his lordship. ‘ And he is
always behindhand, Newick tells me.”
‘He is in great trouble now,” said the rector.
‘“He is very fond of his wife and children, and if the farm is
taken from him they may literally starve. He can not give them
the nourishing things they need. Two of the children were left
very low after the fever, and the doctor orders for them wine and
luxuries that Higgins can not afford.”
At this Fauntleroy moved a step nearer.
‘That was the way with Michael,” he said.