Stranica 139 [139]
LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY. I TO
gate, a man who stood with his hat in his hand made a step forward
and then hesitated. He was a middle-aged farmer, with a careworn
face.
‘Well, Higgins,” said the Earl.
Fauntleroy turned quickly to look at him.
“Oh!” he exclaimed, “is it Mr. Higgins?”
‘“ Yes,” answered the Earl dryly; "and I suppose he came to
take a look at his new landlord.”
“Yes, my lord,” said the man, his sunburned face reddening.
“Mr. Newick told me his young lordship was kind enough to speak
for me, and I thought I ’d like to say a word of thanks, if I might
be allowed.”
Perhaps he felt some wonder when he saw what a little fellow it
was who had innocently done so much for him, and who stood there
looking up just as one of his own less fortunate children might have
done—apparently not realizing his own importance in the least.
‘“] ve a great deal to thank your lordship for,” he said; "a great
deal. I 4
“Oh,” said Fauntleroy; "I only wrote the letter. It was my
grandfather who did it. But you know how he is about always
being good to everybody. Is Mrs. Higgins well now?”
Higgins looked a trifle taken aback. He also was somewhat
startled at hearing his noble landlord presented in the character of a
benevolent being, full of engaging qualities.
‘| —well, yes, your lordship,” he stammered, ‘the missus is
better since the trouble was took off her mind. It was worrying
broke her down.”
“JT ’m glad of that,” said Fauntleroy. ‘My grandfather was
very sorry about your children having the scarlet fever, and so
was I. He has had children himself. I m his sons little boy,
you know.”