Chapter III

by Frances Hodgson Burnett

　　Cedric's good opinion of the advantages of being an earlincreased greatly during the next week. It seemed almostimpossible for him to realize that there was scarcely anything hemight wish to do which he could not do easily; in fact, I thinkit may be said that he did not fully realize it at all. But atleast he understood, after a few conversations with Mr. Havisham,that he could gratify all his nearest wishes, and he proceeded togratify them with a simplicity and delight which caused Mr.Havisham much diversion. In the week before they sailed forEngland he did many curious things. The lawyer long afterremembered the morning they went down-town together to pay avisit to Dick, and the afternoon they so amazed the apple-womanof ancient lineage by stopping before her stall and telling hershe was to have a tent, and a stove, and a shawl, and a sum ofmoney which seemed to her quite wonderful."For I have to go to England and be a lord," explained Cedric,sweet-temperedly. "And I shouldn't like to have your bones onmy mind every time it rained. My own bones never hurt, so Ithink I don't know how painful a person's bones can be, but I'vesympathized with you a great deal, and I hope you'll be better.""She's a very good apple-woman," he said to Mr. Havisham, asthey walked away, leaving the proprietress of the stall almostgasping for breath, and not at all believing in her greatfortune. "Once, when I fell down and cut my knee, she gave mean apple for nothing. I've always remembered her for it. Youknow you always remember people who are kind to you."It had never occurred to his honest, simple little mind thatthere were people who could forget kindnesses.The interview with Dick was quite exciting. Dick had just beenhaving a great deal of trouble with Jake, and was in low spiritswhen they saw him. His amazement when Cedric calmly announcedthat they had come to give him what seemed a very great thing tohim, and would set all his troubles right, almost struck himdumb. Lord Fauntleroy's manner of announcing the object of hisvisit was very simple and unceremonious. Mr. Havisham was muchimpressed by its directness as he stood by and listened. Thestatement that his old friend had become a lord, and was indanger of being an earl if he lived long enough, caused Dick toso open his eyes and mouth, and start, that his cap fell off.When he picked it up, he uttered a rather singular exclamation.Mr. Havisham thought it singular, but Cedric had heard it before."I soy!" he said, "what're yer givin' us?" This plainlyembarrassed his lordship a little, but he bore himself bravely."Everybody thinks it not true at first," he said. "Mr. Hobbsthought I'd had a sunstroke. I didn't think I was going to likeit myself, but I like it better now I'm used to it. The one whois the earl now, he's my grandpapa; and he wants me to doanything I like. He's very kind, if he is an earl; and he sentme a lot of money by Mr. Havisham, and I've brought some to youto buy Jake out."And the end of the matter was that Dick actually bought Jake out,and found himself the possessor of the business and some newbrushes and a most astonishing sign and outfit. He could notbelieve in his good luck any more easily than the apple-woman ofancient lineage could believe in hers; he walked about like aboot-black in a dream; he stared at his young benefactor and feltas if he might wake up at any moment. He scarcely seemed torealize anything until Cedric put out his hand to shake handswith him before going away."Well, good-bye," he said; and though he tried to speaksteadily, there was a little tremble in his voice and he winkedhis big brown eyes. "And I hope trade'll be good. I'm sorryI'm going away to leave you, but perhaps I shall come back againwhen I'm an earl. And I wish you'd write to me, because we werealways good friends. And if you write to me, here's where youmust send your letter." And he gave him a slip of paper. "Andmy name isn't Cedric Errol any more; it's Lord Fauntleroyand--and good-bye, Dick."Dick winked his eyes also, and yet they looked rather moist aboutthe lashes. He was not an educated boot-black, and he would havefound it difficult to tell what he felt just then if he hadtried; perhaps that was why he didn't try, and only winked hiseyes and swallowed a lump in his throat."I wish ye wasn't goin' away," he said in a husky voice. Thenhe winked his eyes again. Then he looked at Mr. Havisham, andtouched his cap. "Thanky, sir, fur bringin' him down here an'fur wot ye've done, He's--he's a queer little feller," he added."I've allers thort a heap of him. He's such a game littlefeller, an'--an' such a queer little un."And when they turned away he stood and looked after them in adazed kind of way, and there was still a mist in his eyes, and alump in his throat, as he watched the gallant little figuremarching gayly along by the side of its tall, rigid escort.Until the day of his departure, his lordship spent as much timeas possible with Mr. Hobbs in the store. Gloom had settled uponMr. Hobbs; he was much depressed in spirits. When his youngfriend brought to him in triumph the parting gift of a gold watchand chain, Mr. Hobbs found it difficult to acknowledge itproperly. He laid the case on his stout knee, and blew his noseviolently several times."There's something written on it," said Cedric,--"inside thecase. I told the man myself what to say. `From his oldestfriend, Lord Fauntleroy, to Mr. Hobbs. When this you see,remember me.' I don't want you to forget me."Mr. Hobbs blew his nose very loudly again."I sha'n't forget you," he said, speaking a trifle huskily, asDick had spoken; "nor don't you go and forget me when you getamong the British arrystocracy.""I shouldn't forget you, whoever I was among," answered hislordship. "I've spent my happiest hours with you; at least,some of my happiest hours. I hope you'll come to see mesometime. I'm sure my grandpapa would be very much pleased.Perhaps he'll write and ask you, when I tell him about you.You--you wouldn't mind his being an earl, would you, I mean youwouldn't stay away just because he was one, if he invited you tocome?""I'd come to see you," replied Mr. Hobbs, graciously.So it seemed to be agreed that if he received a pressinginvitation from the earl to come and spend a few months atDorincourt Castle, he was to lay aside his republican prejudicesand pack his valise at once.At last all the preparations were complete; the day came when thetrunks were taken to the steamer, and the hour arrived when thecarriage stood at the door. Then a curious feeling of lonelinesscame upon the little boy. His mamma had been shut up in her roomfor some time; when she came down the stairs, her eyes lookedlarge and wet, and her sweet mouth was trembling. Cedric went toher, and she bent down to him, and he put his arms around her,and they kissed each other. He knew something made them bothsorry, though he scarcely knew what it was; but one tender littlethought rose to his lips."We liked this little house, Dearest, didn't we?" he said."We always will like it, won't we?""Yes--yes," she answered, in a low, sweet voice. "Yes,darling."And then they went into the carriage and Cedric sat very close toher, and as she looked back out of the window, he looked at herand stroked her hand and held it close.And then, it seemed almost directly, they were on the steamer inthe midst of the wildest bustle and confusion; carriages weredriving down and leaving passengers; passengers were getting intoa state of excitement about baggage which had not arrived andthreatened to be too late; big trunks and cases were being bumpeddown and dragged about; sailors were uncoiling ropes and hurryingto and fro; officers were giving orders; ladies and gentlemen andchildren and nurses were coming on board,--some were laughing andlooked gay, some were silent and sad, here and there two or threewere crying and touching their eyes with their handkerchiefs.Cedric found something to interest him on every side; he lookedat the piles of rope, at the furled sails, at the tall, tallmasts which seemed almost to touch the hot blue sky; he began tomake plans for conversing with the sailors and gaining someinformation on the subject of pirates.It was just at the very last, when he was standing leaning on therailing of the upper deck and watching the final preparations,enjoying the excitement and the shouts of the sailors andwharfmen, that his attention was called to a slight bustle in oneof the groups not far from him. Some one was hurriedly forcinghis way through this group and coming toward him. It was a boy,with something red in his hand. It was Dick. He came up toCedric quite breathless."I've run all the way," he said. "I've come down to see yeoff. Trade's been prime! I bought this for ye out o' what Imade yesterday. Ye kin wear it when ye get among the swells. Ilost the paper when I was tryin' to get through them fellersdownstairs. They didn't want to let me up. It's a hankercher."He poured it all forth as if in one sentence. A bell rang, andhe made a leap away before Cedric had time to speak."Good-bye!" he panted. "Wear it when ye get among theswells." And he darted off and was gone.A few seconds later they saw him struggle through the crowd onthe lower deck, and rush on shore just before the gang-plank wasdrawn in. He stood on the wharf and waved his cap.Cedric held the handkerchief in his hand. It was of bright redsilk ornamented with purple horseshoes and horses' heads.There was a great straining and creaking and confusion. Thepeople on the wharf began to shout to their friends, and thepeople on the steamer shouted back:"Good-bye! Good-bye! Good-bye, old fellow!" Every one seemedto be saying, "Don't forget us. Write when you get toLiverpool. Good-bye! Good-bye!"Little Lord Fauntleroy leaned forward and waved the redhandkerchief."Good-bye, Dick!" he shouted, lustily. "Thank you! Good-bye,Dick!"And the big steamer moved away, and the people cheered again, andCedric's mother drew the veil over her eyes, and on the shorethere was left great confusion; but Dick saw nothing save thatbright, childish face and the bright hair that the sun shone onand the breeze lifted, and he heard nothing but the heartychildish voice calling "Good-bye, Dick!" as little LordFauntleroy steamed slowly away from the home of his birth to theunknown land of his ancestors.