Oh! she said, that was very kind of the Earl; Cedric will be so glad! He has always been fond of Bridget and Michael. I have often wished I had been able to help them more. Michael is a hard-working man when he is well, but he has been ill a long time and needs expensive medicines and warm clothing and nourishing food[41]. He and Bridget will not be wasteful of what is given them.
Mr. Havisham put his thin hand in his breast pocket and drew forth a large pocket-book.
I do not know that you have realized, he said, that the Earl of Dorincourt is an exceedingly rich man. If you will call Lord Fauntleroy back and allow me, I will give him five pounds for these people.
That would be twenty-five dollars! exclaimed Mrs. Errol. It will seem like wealth to them. I can hardly believe that it is true.
It is quite true, said Mr. Havisham, with a dry smile. A great change has taken place in your sons life, a great deal of power will lie in his hands.
Then his mother went for Cedric and brought him back into the parlor.
His little face looked quite anxious when he came in. He was very sorry for Bridget.
Dearest said you wanted me, he said to Mr. Havisham. Ive been talking to Bridget.
Mr. Havisham looked down at him for a moment.
The Earl of Dorincourt- he began, and then he glanced involuntarily[42] at Mrs. Errol.
Little Lord Fauntleroys mother suddenly kneeled down by him and put both her tender arms around his childish body.
Ceddie, she said, the Earl is your grandpapa, your own papas father. He wishes you to be happy and to make other people happy. He told Mr. Havisham so, and gave him a great deal of money for you. You can give some to Bridget now; enough to pay her rent and buy Michael everything. Isnt that fine, Ceddie? Isnt he good? And she kissed the child on his round cheek, where the bright color suddenly flashed up in his excited amazement.
He looked from his mother to Mr. Havisham.
Can I have it now? he cried. Can I give it to her this minute? Shes just going.
Mr. Havisham handed him the money and Ceddie flew out of the room with it.
Bridget! they heard him shout, as he ran into the kitchen. Bridget, wait a minute! Heres some money. Its for you, and you can pay the rent. My grandpapa gave it to me. Its for you and Michael!
Oh, Master Ceddie! cried Bridget, in an awe-stricken[43] voice. Its twenty-five dollars here. Where is the mistress?
I think I will have to go and explain it to her, Mrs. Errol said.
So she, too, went out of the room and Mr. Havisham was left alone for a while.
Cedric and his mother came back soon after. Cedric was in high spirits[44]. He sat down in his own chair, between his mother and the lawyer.
She cried! he said. She said she was crying for joy! I never saw anyone cry for joy before. My grandpapa must be a very good man. I didnt know he was such a good man. Its more-more agreeable to be an earl than I thought it was.
III
In the week before they sailed for England he did many interesting things. The lawyer long after remembered the morning they went down-town together to visit to Dick, and the afternoon they so amazed the apple-woman of ancient lineage by stopping before her stall and telling her she was to have a tent, and a shawl, and a sum of money which seemed to her quite wonderful.
The interview with Dick was quite exciting. Dick had just been having a great deal of trouble with Jake, and was in low spirits when they saw him. Lord Fauntleroys manner of announcing the object of his visit was very simple and unceremonious. Mr. Havisham was much impressed by its directness as he stood by and listened. The statement that his old friend had become a lord, and was in danger of being an earl if he lived long enough, caused Dick to open his eyes and mouth.
And the end of the matter was that Dick actually bought Jake out, and found himself the possessor of the business and some new brushes and a most wonderful sign and outfit. He could not believe in his good luck any more easily than the apple-woman of ancient lineage could believe in hers; He hardly seemed to realize anything until Cedric put out his hand to shake hands with him before going away.
Well, goodbye, Cedric said; and though he tried to speak confidently, there was a little tremble in his voice and he winked his big brown eyes. And I hope tradell be good. Im sorry Im going away to leave you, but perhaps I shall come back again when Im an earl. And I wish youd write to me, because we were always good friends. And if you write to me, heres where you must send your letter. And he gave him a slip of paper. And my name isnt Cedric Errol anymore; its Lord Fauntleroy and-and goodbye, Dick.
Until the day of his departure, his lordship spent as much time as possible with Mr. Hobbs in the store. When his young friend brought to him in triumph the parting gift of a gold watch and chain, Mr. Hobbs found it difficult to acknowledge it properly. He laid the case on his stout knee, and blew his nose violently several times.
Theres something written on it, said Cedric, inside the case. I told the man myself what to say. From his oldest friend, Lord Fauntleroy, to Mr. Hobbs. When you see this, remember me.
Mr. Hobbs blew his nose very loudly again.
I will not forget you, he said, speaking a little huskily; nor dont you go and forget me when you get among the British aristocracy.
I would not forget you, whoever I was among, answered his lordship. Ive spent my happiest hours with you; at least, some of them. I hope youll come to see me sometime. Im sure my grandpapa would be very much pleased.
Id come to see you, replied Mr. Hobbs.
At last all the preparations were complete; the day came when the trunks were taken to the steamer. It was just at the very last, when someone hurriedly forcing his way through people came toward Cedric. It was a boy, with something red in his hand. It was Dick. He came up to Cedric quite breathless.
Ive run all the way, he said. Ive come down to see you. Trades been prime! I bought this for you out of what I made yesterday. You can wear it when you get among the swells[45]. Its a handkerchief.
He poured it all forth as if in one sentence. A bell rang, and he made a leap away before Cedric had time to speak.
Goodbye! he panted. Wear it when you get among the swells. And he darted off[46] and was gone.
Cedric held the handkerchief in his hand. It was of bright red silk ornamented with purple horseshoes and horses heads.
Little Lord Fauntleroy leaned forward and waved the red handkerchief.
Goodbye, Dick! he shouted, lustily. Thank you! Goodbye, Dick!
And the big steamer moved away, and the people cheered again, and Cedrics mother drew the veil over her eyes.
IV
It was during the voyage that Cedrics mother told him that his home was not to be hers; and when he first understood it, his grief was so great that Mr. Havisham saw that the Earl had been wise in making the arrangements that his mother should be quite near him, and see him often. But his mother managed the little fellow so sweetly and lovingly, and made him feel that she would be so near him, that, after a while, he forgot any fear.
He could not but feel puzzled by such a strange state of affairs, which could put his Dearest in one house and himself in another. The fact was that Mrs. Errol had thought it better not to tell him why this plan had been made.
I prefer he should not be told, she said to Mr. Havisham. He would not really understand; he would only be shocked and hurt; and I feel sure that his feeling for the Earl will be a more natural one if he does not know that his grandfather dislikes me so bitterly. It is better for him that he should not be told until he is much older, and it is far better for the Earl. It would make a barrier between them, even though Ceddie is such a child.