Cedric and his mother came back soon after. Cedric was in high spirits. He was glowing with enjoyment of Bridget’s relief and rapture.
“She cried!” he said. “She said she was crying for joy. I never saw any one cry for joy before. My grandpapa must be a very good man. I didn’t know he was so good a man. It’s more—more agreeable to be an earl than I thought it was. I’m almost glad—I’m almost quite glad I’m going to be one.”
CHAPTER III.
LEAVING HOME.
Cedric’s good opinion of the advantages of being an earl increased greatly during the next week. It seemed almost impossible for him to [realise] that there was scarcely anything he might wish to do which he could not do easily; in fact I think it may be said that he did not fully realise it at all. But at least he understood, after a few conversations with Mr. Havisham, that he could gratify all [his nearest wishes,] and [he proceeded to gratify them] with a simplicity and delight which caused Mr. Havisham much diversion. In the week before they sailed for England, he did many curious things. The lawyer long after remembered the morning they went down together to pay a 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 stove, and a shawl, and a sum of money which seemed to her quite wonderful.
“For I have to go to England and be a lord,” explained Cedric, sweet-temperedly.
“She’s a very good apple-woman,” he said to Mr. Havisham as they walked away, leaving the proprietress of the stall almost gasping for breath, and not at all believing in her great fortune. “Once, when I fell down and [cut] my knee, she gave me an apple for nothing. I’ve always remembered her for it. You know you always remember people who are kind to you.”
It had never occurred to his honest, simple, little mind that there were people who could forget kindnesses.
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. His amazement when Cedric calmly announced that they had come to give him what seemed a very great thing to him, and would set all his troubles right, almost [struck him dumb.] Lord Fauntleroy’s manner of announcing the object of his visit was very simple and unceremonious and the end of the matter was that Dick bought Jake out, and found himself the possessor of the business, and some new brushes and a most astonishing 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 scarcely seemed to realise anything until Cedric put out his hand to shake hands with him before going away.
“Well, good-bye,” he said; and though he tried to speak steadily, 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 I wish you’d write to me, because we were always good friends. And here’s where you must send your letter.” And he gave him a slip of paper. “And my name isn’t Cedric Errol any more; it’s Lord Fauntleroy and—and good-bye, Dick.”
Dick winked his eyes also, and yet they looked rather moist about the lashes.