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The Earl gives Cedric another surprise by
presenting him with his own pony and tells him to go to the stable and see
it. But Cedric declines saying it is time to go and visit his mother, as
she will be waiting for him at her house. As they drive down to the
cottage he tells his grandfather what a kind man he is and how many people
have been helped because of him. The Earl is surprised because never has
anyone thought of him as kid and generous. Cedric asks him to come into
the cottage and see his mother and the Earl refuses and drives away but
not before he sees the great love between the mother and son.
The following Sunday the church has more
people than ever before because everyone is curious to see the new Lord
Fauntleroy who the reverend has spoken so well of. Everyone knows how
Cedric has influenced his grandfather to let Higgins stay on his land. The
Earl and Cedric arrive at the church, the Earl leaning on Cedric’s
shoulder. His mother is also present and feels very proud of her son but
is anxious about him as well. She hopes that the great fortune that has
befallen him not bring along with it any evil. She tells him to always be
good and kind. Cedric repeats all that she has said to his grandfather.
Higgins meets them in church and thanks Cedric. But Cedric says that he
has only written the letter and it is his grandfather who has actually
allowed him to stay. The Earl is very happy to hear this. Everyone watches
in surprise the present transformation that has come over the Earl.
Cedric now learns how to ride his new pony.
Though he finds it difficult at first he does not give up. The Earl is
glad to see his grandson’s persevering spirit. One-day Quadric helps to
take a lame boy home on his pony. On finding out that his parents are too
poor to but him crutches, gets him a pair, compliments of his grandfather.
He often thinks why his grandfather and mother never seem to meet and
speak even though everyday fruits and flowers are sent to her cottage. One
day the Earl gives him a pretty little single horse carriage and tells
Cedric to give it as a gift to his mother. He is so happy that his mother
does not want to spoil his pleasure by refusing it and so she accepts it
even though she knows it is from the man who dislikes her so much. The
next day Cedric writes a letter to Mr. Hobbs telling him how mistaken he
is about all Earls being tyrants. He tells Mr. Hobbs how kind and
loving his grandfather is and how he doesn’t miss his mother too much
even though he doesn’t live with her. He takes this letter to the Earl
for correction. The Earl reads it and asks him if he misses him mother
very much to which Cedric replies that he does indeed miss her all the
time.
The Earl’s health also improves and his
gout is less troublesome. One day the people are surprised to see
the Earl riding side by side with his grandson. On these rides Cedric
tells his grandfather more about his mother and how kind and good she was
to the poor people in the county. The Earl is glad to hear she is a good
and kind woman but is jealous of her because Cedric loves her more than he
loves him. A few weeks later Cedric comes to his room looking very
troubled. The Earl asks him the reason and Cedric tells him that
there is a place in the county where the houses are in a very poor
condition. The tenants have to live a very wretched life. He requests his
grandfather to put things right for his tenants by pulling down the old
houses and building new ones. His grandfather eventually agrees because he
does not want to tarnish the good image his grandson has of him. The Earl
tells his agent Newick to tell the tenants that it was Lord
Fauntleroy who insisted on getting the houses rebuilt. All the people love
and bless Cedric for this kind deed.
Day by day the Earl grows fonder of Cedric
and imagines the day when he will grow up to be a good and benevolent
Earl. One day the Earl’s sister plans to come and visit him. This causes
the greatest excitement in the county because she had not visited her
brother for a long time. She was not on talking terms with him as she did
not approve of his wicked and mean ways. Through the other nobles she has
heard of Cedric and was curious to see the new Lord Fauntleroy. She had
met Cedric’s father many years ago and had liked him immensely and
wanted to see what his much spoken about son was like. So she goes to meet
the Earl escorted by her husband and is delighted to see the lovely boy.
She also finds a great and commendable change in the Earl and feels it is
Cedric who is responsible. The next she visits Cedric’s mother and
repots to the Earl what a lovely lady she is and how he must ask her to
come and live with him as soon as possible.
The Earl throws a party to introduce his
grandson to the other nobility. He wants all the world to see what a fine
grandson and heir he has got. It is a great and memorable evening for
everybody. However towards the end of the evening, his lawyer Mr. Havisham,
arrives with some disturbing news. Apparently his eldest son Bevis had
married a coarse American lady and she has a son by him. This means that
Cedric is not the next Lord Fauntleroy because Bevis was the eldest and so
his son is the heir apparent. The Earl is very upset and refuses to
believe this though he knows that his son Beavis was indeed capable of
marrying such a woman. He is sad because he feels that Cedric would have
made a fine Earl. Besides he had grown very attached to the little
boy who had so much faith in his grandfather’s goodness.
Back in America, his old friend Mr. Hobbs
is also missing Cedric. He goes to visit Cedric’s other friend, Dick the
shoeblack boy and soon they become good friends. Dick tells him all about
his brother Ben whose ill tempered wife who has taken their son and
run away to England. One day they receive a letter from Cedric telling
them that he is not the real Lord Fauntleroy because he has an elder
cousin who is the heir apparent. They are both very sad and upset when
they hear of this new development.
The Earl tells Cedric the news that he may
not be a Lord but that he will always remain his favorite grandson.
Hearing this Cedric is happy and says he cares nothing of not being a Lord
as long as his grandfather always loves him. The Earl goes to see the
other woman who claims to be Bevis’s wife. He tells her that if it is
proved that indeed she is his late son’s wife then she and her son will
have to be provided for. But besides that he wants to have nothing to do
with them. Soon after he goes to see Cedric’s mom Mrs. Errol because he
is so miserable by this new turn of events. Mrs. Errol is very kind and
sympathetic and the Earl leaves promising that Cedric will always be well
provided for.
Meanwhile the story of the New Lord
Fauntleroy reaches America. Dick chances to see a newspaper with a picture
of the new Lord and his mother. He recognizes them to be none other
than his brother’ s wife and son. He decides to expose the woman and
writes a letter to the Earl. Mr. Hobbs also engages a young and
enterprising lawyer to help with the case. When the Earl and Mr. Havisham
receive the letter, they call Ben and Dick to England to spring a surprise
on the imposter. She is enraged to see that her plan has failed and has no
choice but to leave. The Earl is overjoyed that Cedric is indeed the next
Lord Fauntleroy. He pays a visit to Cedric and his mother at her house. He
tells them the good news and then invites her to come and live with them
at the castle.
Soon after, Cedric celebrates his eight
birthday. Mr. Hobbs sells his store in America and buys one in Cedric’s
county. Dick is given a good education. Finally everyone, most of all the
Earl, is happy and contented.
Click here for part 1
of the summary of Little Lord Fauntleroy
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