2 Cedric’s Friends

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 live in England. "Dearest," he said, "I'd rather not go all the way to England. Must I go?"

"I'm sorry, Ceddie," 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 am 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 is 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 out 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."

Cedric 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 Cedric. "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 is 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