Chapter 2 Cedric's Friends Cedric was stunned at the news.
His grandfather, whom he had never seen, was an earl.
Both of his uncles would have been earls, too, but they had died.
His father would have been an earl if he hadn't died, and now, since only Cedric was left, he was to be an earl one day.
Now he was to be called by the family name, Lord Fauntleroy, and he would have to go to live in England.
Dearest, he said, I'd rather not go all the way to England.
Must I go?
I'm sorry, Sadie, Dearest said, but yes, you must.
I know your papa would wish you to go.
He loved his home.
I would be selfish if I didn't send you.
Cedric didn't understand.
He would miss his home and his friends.
When Mr Havisham, his grandfather's lawyer, had come to Cedric's house, the little boy had heard many exciting things, but it didn't make him feel any better to know that he would be a rich man when he grew up.
He would have castles here and castles there.
He would have tenants who lived on his lands, whatever that meant.
But right now, he still had to leave his home and his friends.
Cedric was especially troubled about leaving Mr. Hobbs.
He went as soon as he could to tell him the news.
Cedric knew that Mr. Hobbs didn't like Earls.
They had just been talking about it.
So Cedric was very nervous when he said I am one or I'm going to be.
I cannot lie to you.
Mr. Hobbs was confused.
Something's the matter with your head, he said.
Are you feeling ill?
Are you dizzy?
It's a very hot day.
No, I'm not ill, said Cedric.
I'm sorry to say it's true.
I am going to be an earl.
Mr. Havisham was telling Dearest, and he's a lawyer.
My grandfather sent him all the way from England to tell us.
Mr. Hobbs stared wildly at Cedric.
Who is your grandfather? he asked.
Cedric took a piece of paper from his pocket.
I couldn't remember it, so I wrote it down, he said, and he read slowly.
John Arthur Molyneux Errol Earl of Dorincourt.
He lives in a castle, in two or three castles, I think.
Now I have to go live with him.
Sidrick did not seem happy about his news.
England is very far away, isn't it? he asked.
Across the Atlantic Ocean, said Mr. Hobbs.
That's the worst of it, said Sidrick.
I shall not see you again for a long time.
I don't like to think of that, Mr. Hobbs.
Even the best of friends must part, said Mr. Hobbs.
The two were quiet for some moments.
Then they began to talk of what Cedric would do once he became an earl.
Cedric said he would be a good one.
He would not be a tyrant.
If there was another war with America, he would try to stop it, he told Mr. Hobbs.
He said a great many things that would have surprised Mr. Havisham.
Mr. Havisham didn't know very many young boys, especially boys as smart and good-hearted as Cedric.
But there were many things that surprised Mr. Havisham.
He had spent all of his life in England and he was not used to Americans.
He didn't know much about the life that Captain Errol had made for himself in America.
When Mr. Havisham met Mrs. Errol in her plain tiny home, he was surprised to find that he liked her.
She was quite pretty, with a faint sad look on her young face.
Mr. Havisham saw right away that she must have loved Captain Errol with all her heart.
It was clear that she hadn't married him simply because he was an Earl's son.
When he told Mrs. Errol that the old Earl wanted Cedric to live with him in England, she grew pale.
He'll be taken away from me, she asked.
But he is such a happiness to me.
He's all I have.
Her voice trembled.
Mr. Havisham cleared his throat.
I must tell you, he said, that the Earl of Dorincourt is not very friendly toward you.
He does not like America or Americans.
He was very angry about your marriage to his son, and he does not want to see you.
His plan is for Lord Fauntleroy to live with him in Dorincourt Castle.
The Earl offers you a home at Court Lodge, which is not very far from the castle.
He also offers you a good income.
Lord Fauntleroy may visit you, but you may not visit him.
Mr. Havisham was embarrassed.
He was afraid Mrs. Errol would begin to cry.
But she didn't cry.
She went to the window and stood with her face turned away from him.
Then she said, Captain Errol was very fond of Dorincourt.
It was a grief to him that he was parted from his home.
He would wish, I know he would wish for his son to go.
Then she came back to the table.
She looked at Mr. Havisham gently.
I know, she said, then started again.
I am sure the Earl would not be so unkind as to try to teach Cedric not to love me.
And I know even if he tried, Cedric would still love me.
As long as we may see each other, I will not suffer too much.
She cares so much more for her son than she does for herself, Mr. Havisham thought.
She doesn't realize how hard it will be for her.
Madam, he said, I respect your decision.
I assure you that every effort will be made so that Lord Fauntleroy will be happy.
When Cedric arrived back home, he went into the parlor to talk to Mr. Havisham.
Mrs. Errol left them alone.
Cedric wanted to know what exactly an earl was, since one day he would be one.
Mr. Havisham explained that an earl is a very important person in England.
Like the president, Cedric said.
Not exactly, said Mr. Havisham.
An earl is often a very ancient lineage.
What's that? asked Cedric.
A very old family.
Very, very old.
Huh? said Cedric.
I suppose it's that way with the apple woman in the park.
She is so old, it would surprise you how she can stand up.
She's a hundred years old, I should think.
I'm afraid you did not quite understand me, Mr. Havisham explained.
When I said ancient lineage, I didn't mean old age.
I meant that the name of the family has been known in the world for a long time.
The first Earl of Dorincourt was made an Earl four hundred years ago.
Well, well, said Cedric, that was a long time ago.
What does an earl do?
A great many of them have helped to rule England.
Some of them have been brave men and fought in great battles.
I should like to do that, said Cedric.
My papa was a soldier, and he was a very brave man, as brave as George Washington.
I'm glad that earls are brave.
That's a good thing.
There's another good thing about being an earl, said Mr. Havisham slowly.
Some earls have a lot of money.
That is good, Cedric said innocently.
I wish I had a lot of money.
Why? asked Mr. Havisham.
Well, explained Cedric.
There's the apple woman.
If I were very rich, I would buy her a tent and a little stove, and then oh, I'd give her a shawl so that her bones wouldn't feel so bad.
Her bones are not like our bones.
They hurt when she moves.
If I were rich enough to help her, I guess her bones would be all right.'
"'And what else would you do if you were rich?' asked Mr. Havisham.
"'Of course, I'd buy dearest all sorts of pretty things.
And then Dick—'
Who is Dick?
Mr. Havisham interrupted.
Dick is one of the nicest shoeshine boys you ever knew.
He's about twelve years old, I think.
He works on the corner.
Once when I was very little, I was out with Dearest, and she bought me a ball.
The ball bounced into the street where the carriages and horses were.
I began to cry.
I was very little.
Then Dick stopped shining a man's shoes and ran in between the horses and caught the ball for me.
Ever since, we stopped to talk to him when we passed by.
And what would you do for Dick? asked Mr. Havisham, trying not to smile.
I would help him buy out the shoeshine business, of course.
Dick has the worst partner.
His name's Jake.
Jake cheats.
He makes Dick look bad.
If I were rich, I would make Dick the boss.
Is there anything you would get for yourself if you were rich? asked Mr. Havisham.
Lots of things Cedric said quickly, but first I would give Mary some money for Bridget that's her sister.
Bridget has twelve children and her husband, Michael is out of work, and I think Mr Hobbs would like a good watch.
Just then Mrs. Errol came in.
I'm sorry to have left you for so long, she said to Mr. Havisham, but Mary's sister came to see me.
This young gentleman said Mr Havisham has been telling me about some of his friends and what he would do for them if he were rich.
Bridget is one of his friends, said Mrs. Errol.
She's in great trouble now because her husband is very sick.
Cedric slipped off his big chair.
I think I'll go see her, he said, and ran out of the room.
Mrs Errol, Mr Havisham said The earl wanted me to let his lordship know that the change in his life would bring him money and the pleasures children enjoy.
I was told to buy Cedric anything he wants and to tell him that it is from his grandfather.
If it would make Lord Fauntleroy happy to help this poor woman, the earl might be pleased.
Oh, that was very kind of the earl.
Cedric will be so glad.
You will allow me, said Mr. Havisham.
I will give him five pounds for Bridget and her family.
That's twenty-five dollars, exclaimed Mrs. Errol.
They could buy medicine and warm clothing.
It would mean so much to them.
Mrs. Errol left the room to find Cedric.
Mr. Havisham has some news for you, she told him.
Use?
Cedric said.
His little face looked quite anxious.
He was sorry for Bridget.
Mrs. Errol brought Cedric back to the parlor.
"'Ceddy,' she said, "'your grandpapa, the Earl, is a very, very kind man.
He wishes you to be happy and to make other people happy.
He gave Mr. Havisham a great deal of money for you.
You can give some to Bridget now, enough to pay her rent, and buy Michael everything he needs.
Isn't that fine, Ceddy?
Isn't your grandfather good?'
She kissed his cheek.
Cedric looked up in amazement.
Can I have it now? he cried.
She's just leaving.
Mr. Havisham gave him the money and Cedric flew out of the room.
Bridget, they heard him shout.
Bridget, don't go.
I have some money for you and Michael.
My grandpapa gave it to me.
Master City, cried Bridget.
This is so much money.
Where is your mother?
I must go and explain it to her, Mrs. Errol said.
So she too left the room, and Mr. Havisham was alone for a while.
He thought about the old Earl of Dorincourt sitting in his giant, gloomy library at the castle.
He was always ill with the gout, a disease that made his feet swell up, and he was always grumpy.
There was never a more unpopular old nobleman than the Earl of Dorincourt, or a more selfish one.
He had quite a lot of money, and he didn't like to share it.
Cedric was a cheery, handsome little boy who cared about all his many friends.
He was so very generous.
Mr. Havisham thought of how rich Cedric would be one day.
It will make a great difference, he said to himself.
