Chapter 7 A Church Sunday morning, the Earl decided that he and his grandson would attend church.
He rarely went, but the family pew was always left empty for him, in case he did.
This Sunday, he wanted to go because he would have Cedric at his side.
People from the village would be there, so he'd have the chance to show the boy off.
Almost the whole town showed up that Sunday.
They waited outside the church to catch sight of the Earl and his grandson.
Everyone had heard the story of the little Lord Fauntleroy and how he had helped Higgins.
They also knew about the little Lord's poor mother, who was forced to live apart from him and who the Earl hated for no reason.
No one could stop talking about it.
Everyone stared as Mrs. Errol approached the church.
One old woman curtsied, then another woman curtsied.
A man took off his hat and bowed.
Mrs. Errol didn't understand at first.
Then she realized they knew she was Lord Fauntleroy's mother.
She flushed shyly and bowed, too.
"'Thank you,' she said.
As she reached the church, a carriage drew up and a boy dressed in black velvet jumped out.
The crowd looked at him curiously.
He looks just like the captain, said a woman who remembered his father.
The little boy was waiting patiently beside the carriage to help his grandfather.
The old earl stepped out and leaned on his grandson, who led him toward the church.
Everyone in the crowd bowed and curtsied as the earl and his grandson walked past.
Look how glad the people are to see you, Cedric said.
Take off your cap, Cedric, said the earl.
They are bowing to you.
To me, cried Cedric.
He whipped off his cap and his bright blonde curls tumbled out.
He turned, puzzled, and bowed to everyone.
Inside the church, Cedric and the earl sat in their cushioned and curtained pew.
It was separate from the others, better and more private.
Once Cedric was seated, he saw something that made him very happy.
There across the church was his pretty mother, smiling at him.
During the service he listened and stood to sing the hymns and all the while she was there just across the room where he could see her.
Mrs. Errol couldn't help but watch him, too, as did the earl.
He sat behind his curtain, eyeing his grandson as he sang.
The little boy's voice was like a bird's.
The earl liked the sound of it more than he thought he would.
The earl also stole a glance or two over the people's heads.
There was his son's wife, sitting alone.
He saw her pretty face.
He saw that her eyes were almost exactly like her little boy's, the same warm, deep color brown.
As the Earl and Cedric left the church, they came upon a man who had been waiting for them.
He held his hat in his hand and took a step forward.
Well, Higgins, said the Earl.
Oh, Cedric said, Mr. Higgins.
Yes, answered the Earl, and I suppose he has come to get a look at his new landlord.
Yes, my lord, said Higgins.
His sunburned face reddened.
I wanted to say a word of thanks, if I might be allowed.
The earl didn't respond, so Higgins turned to Cedric.
I have a great deal to thank your lordship for, he began.
I only wrote the letter, said Cedric.
It was my grandfather who did it.
But you know how he is, always being good to everybody.
Is Mrs. Higgins feeling any better?
Higgins wasn't sure what to say.
The earl was never good to anybody.
Well, yes, your lordship, he stammered.
She's doing better.
I'm glad to hear that, said Cedric.
My grandfather was very sorry about your children having scarlet fever, and so was I.
Higgins was in a panic.
He couldn't look the earl in the eye, not when he knew the truth.
The earl hated children.
Everybody knew that.
It was said that when his own sons were boys, he didn't even like them.
Higgins doubted very much that the Earl of Dorincourt cared whether or not his children had been sick with scarlet fever.
You see, Higgins, the Earl broke in with a grim smile.
You people have been wrong about me.
Lord Fauntleroy understands me.
When you want honest information about me, just ask him.
Now, get into the carriage, Cedric.
Cedric jumped in and the carriage rolled away.
As it turned the corner, the earl had a grim smile on his face.
He was very pleased.
