I left Dorincourt Castle, I had an interview with the Earl, in which he gave me some instructions. He wants his grandson to look forward with some pleasure to his future life in England, and also to his acquaintance[39] with himself. He said that I must let his lordship know that the change in his life would bring him money and the pleasures children enjoy; if he expressed any wishes, I was togratify[40] them, and to tell him that his grandfather had given him what he wished. I am aware that the Earl did not expect anything quite like this; but if it would give Lord Fauntleroy pleasure to help this poor woman, I believe that the Earl would be displeased if he was not gratified.”
“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 son’s 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. “I’ve 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 Fauntleroy’s 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 papa’s 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. Isn’t that fine, Ceddie? Isn’t 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? She’s 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! Here’s some money. It’s for you, and you can pay the rent. My grandpapa gave it to me. It’s for you and Michael!”
“Oh, Master Ceddie!” cried Bridget, in an awe-stricken[43] voice. “It’s 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 didn’t know he was such a good man. It’s 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 Fauntleroy’s 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 trade’ll be good. I’m sorry I’m going away to leave you, but perhaps I shall come back again when I’m an earl. And I wish you’d write to me, because we were always good friends. And if you write to me, here’s where you must send your letter.” And he gave him a slip of paper. “And my name isn’t Cedric Errol anymore; it’s 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.
“There’s 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 don’t you go and forget me when you get among the British aristocracy.”
“I would not forget you, whoever I was among,” answered his lordship. “I’ve spent my happiest hours with you; at least, some of them. I hope you’ll come to see me sometime. I’m sure my grandpapa would be very much pleased.”
“I’d 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.
“I’ve run all the way,” he said. “I’ve come down to see you. Trade’s been prime! I bought this for you out of what I made yesterday. You can wear it when you get among the swells[45]. It’s 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