“Who’s Michael?” asked the Earl.
“Michael is Bridget’s husband, and they were in great trouble. And Bridget used to come to our house and cry. And the evening Mr. Havisham was there, she was in the kitchen crying because they had almost nothing to eat and couldn’t pay the rent; and I went in to see her, and Mr. Havisham sent for me and he said you had given him some money for me. And I ran as fast as I could into the kitchen and gave it to Bridget; and that made it all right; and Bridget could scarcely believe her eyes. That’s why I’m so obliged to you.”
“Oh!” said the Earl in his deep voice, “that was one of the things you did for yourself, was it? What else?”
“Well, there was Dick,” Cedric answered. “You’d like Dick, he’s so [square.”]
This was an Americanism the Earl was not prepared for.
“What does that mean?” he inquired.
Lord Fauntleroy paused a moment to reflect. He was not very sure himself what it meant.
“I think it means that he wouldn’t cheat any one,” he exclaimed; “or hit a boy who was under his size, and that he blacks people’s boots very well and makes them shine as much as he can. He’s a [professional] boot-black.”
“And he’s one of your acquaintances, is he?” said the Earl.
“He’s an old friend of mine,” replied his grandson. “Not quite as old as Mr. Hobbs, but quite old. He gave me a present just before the ship sailed.”