4 In England

CHAPTER 4 In England When they were far out on the ocean, Cedric's mother told him that his home was not to be hers. Cedric's grief was so great that Mr. Havisham realized it was wise to make sure that the boy's mother lived nearby and saw him often. Cedric wouldn't be happy without her. Mrs. Errol did her best to make sure her son wasn't afraid. "My house is not very far from the castle, Ceddie," she said every time he asked. "You can see me every day. You

will have so many things to tell me. It's a beautiful place. Your papa told me about it. He loved it very much, and you will love it, too." "I'd love it better if you were there," he said. Mrs. Errol had decided not to tell him that it was his grandfather's idea to keep them apart. She told Mr. Havisham that she didn't want Cedric to learn the truth until he was older. "He wouldn't understand," she said. "It wouldn't make sense to him that anyone could hate me." So all Cedric knew was that there was a strange reason he wasn't old enough to understand. Soon the ship reached England, and a carriage drove Mr. Havisham, Cedric, and Mrs. Errol to Court Lodge, where Mrs. Errol would live. They reached the house at night,

so it was too dark to see what it looked like. Cedric saw only an open door. He could make out two servants standing in the doorway. The servants looked with curiosity at both the boy and his mother. They had heard all sorts of rumors. They knew all about the boy's mean old grandfather, with his gout and his bad temper. They knew how angry the earl had been when his son had married this woman. They knew why Mrs. Errol had to live at the lodge, while her little boy lived at the castle. But they didn't know what sort of little lord he would be. Cedric pulled off his coat as if he was used to doing things for himself. Then he looked around the lodge. "Dearest," he said, "this is a very pretty house, isn't it? I'm glad you are going to live here. It's quite large."

It was a large house, compared to the one in New York, but Mrs. Errol looked a little pale and upset. She pulled Mr. Havisham aside. "Could he stay with me tonight?" she asked in a low voice. "Of course," Mr. Havisham answered quietly. "I will go tell the earl that we have arrived." "Having to live apart from my little boy will be so very difficult," Mrs. Errol said sadly. "Will you tell the earl that I would rather not have the money?" "You cannot mean that!" Mr. Havisham exclaimed. He pulled her away so Cedric wouldn't hear. "I do mean it," she said. "I must accept the house, and I thank him for it. It makes it possible for me to be near my child. But I have a little money of my own—enough to live simply— and I would rather not take

his." "He will be very angry," Mr. Havisham said. "He won't understand." "I think he will," she said. "Why should I accept gifts from the man who hates me so much that he takes away my own child?" "I'll deliver your message," Mr. Havisham replied. Mr. Havisham went to the castle, where he found the old earl sitting by the fire in his easy chair. His bad foot was up on his footstool. "Well," the earl said, "what's the news?" "Lord Fauntleroy and his mother are at Court Lodge," replied Mr. Havisham. "They are in excellent health." The earl made a gruff sound. "What else?" he asked. "I don't care about the mother. What sort of lad is he?" "It is rather difficult to judge," Mr.

Havisham said. "He is only seven." "A fool, is he?" the earl exclaimed. "Clumsy? His American blood shows, does it?" "I don't know much about children, but I thought he was a rather fine lad." "Well enough to look at?" demanded the earl. A very slight smile touched Mr. Havisham's lips. "Rather a handsome boy, I think, as boys go. But I dare say you will find him somewhat different from most English children." "I haven't a doubt," snarled the earl. "Rude little beggars, those American children." "Not rude," said Mr. Havisham. "He has lived more with older people than with children." "Bad manners!" shouted the earl. Mr. Havisham didn't argue. When the earl