Little Lord Fauntleroy

Every journey into the unfamiliar

is an adventure.

Mine even more so.

I was in search of a

very special small boy.

I knew I wouldn't find him among

the stately mansions of the privileged.

But it was totally unprepared for the

neighborhood where my search would end.

What kind of child could

such a ghetto melting pot spawn?

I anticipated the worst.

Good morning, Dick.

- How's the boy?

- No complaints.

Wish I could say the same.

Jake giving you trouble again?

Give you a piece of advice, Freddie.

Don't never ever

take a drinking man for a partner.

I won't.

Gotta see Hobbs the grocer.

See you later Dick.

See ya.

Good morning, Mr. Hobbs.

Ahh.

We booted a man out of the White House.

And what happens?

Them Republicans in Congress

are still trying to do us in.

What're they doing now, Mr. Hobbs?

Doing? Nothing!

That's what they're doing!

Never a thought

for the poor working man.

Or a small tradesmen like myself.

Oh no no..

They're too busy trying to figure a way

to let the rich stuff their pockets!

You grow up.

You be a Democrat, you hear?!

You'll be pleased with me, Mr. Hobbs.

Right.

Now what can I do for you, sonny?

Mama says kindly fill this order.

Put it on her account.

On mama-on your ma, right?

Well, have a cracker. Tit yourself

down the barrel while I see this.

Thanks.

How come Mary ain't doing the market?

She went to the factory to bring

more shirt work for my ma to sew.

Your ma is a fine lady, sunny.

Never met a dearer soul.

I guess that's why

my papa calls her "dearest."

I reckon so, Ceddie.

Keep this to yourself.

I call my ma "dearest" sometimes too.

And why wouldn't you, Ceddie?

Seeing as how she was

left a widow so young-

It's kind of up to you to

take your pa's place, right?

My papa has been gone a long time now.

Can't say I rightly remember him

much anymore.

Oh? He left his mark on you, you know.

You got a way of talking that

ain't exactly true blue American.

It's hardly surprising

since he was British.

I hope you will turn it against

me that my papa was British.

Seeing as how you don't

like the British for much.

By my lights, you're an American.

Whether your pa chooses to marry

a spunky American girl-

-and make him miss his country.

I am American!

But if you don't mind me asking, why

don't you like the British very much?

It ain't the common folk I don't like.

But them aristocrats!

Them that keeps the common folk

in servitude!!

Mark my words, Ceddie.

The day will come

when the downtrodden

rise in righteous wrath.

Blow all them lords

and earls and marquises sky high!

Maybe they wouldn't be lords and earls

and marquises if they knew any better.

Don't you believe it, Ceddie.

There's glory in it.

Have you ever known any aristocrats?

Not likely!

If one of them showed his ugly face

in my establishment, I'd heave him out!

I'll have no grasping tyrants

sitting on my barrels!

Just set your groceries

on the table, Ceddie.

All right, Mama.

Are you hungry?

Not now.

Mr. Hobbs treated me

to a sparkling apple.

A fine talk too.

I'm sure he did.

I got to your place finally.

Far too much for me to carry.

It ain't the bundles do me in.

It's them five flights of stairs.

And my little darling

did the marketing.

Mr. Hobbs asked after you.

I think he's sweet on you.

How foolish of him.

Can I go out, mama?

The boys are waiting on me.

For you. yes, run along.

Were they pleased with the

finished waists, Mary?

And why not? Seeing you work

your fingers to the bone!

And doing such fine stitching.

Thank you, Captain.

Pardon me.

The search for the boy has led me here.

But how would the extraordinary offer

I brought be received?

Ceddie would not leave me.

Nor would I part with him.

Anger is expected, Mrs. Errol.

It's simply that the

boy's grandfather is

fixed in his determination

not to see you.

I'm well aware of that, Mr. Havisham.

My husband's father has never shown

the slightest concern

for me or his grandson.

He's an old man.

And his prejudices are very strong.

He always disliked

America and Americans.

His son's marriage to you angered him.

Hardly a revelation.

I must admit, I'm surprised

by your manner and appearances.

Pleasantly surprised.

Indeed!

However the terms of the arrangement

are not so harsh as you may think.

You're a guest in my house

and I will not be rude.

But I would prefer if you said what you

came to say and disposed of the matter.

You speak your mind,

don't you, Mrs. Errol? Very well.

Your son's grandfather the Earl

dislikes London.

He's the victim of inflammatory gout.

And intends to live

for the most part at Dorincourt.

Which is pleasantly situated

in the countryside.

Your son naturally

would also reside there.

The Earl offers you a cottage nearby.

The boy will be permitted

to visit you whenever he likes.

The Earl will neither

see you, speak with you

or permit you within the

gates of Dorincourt.

Is that all, Mr. Havisham?

Please. Surely, as a mother

you must want is best for your child.

What's best for Ceddie

is being with the dearest and sweetest

mother boy ever had!

I beg you to consider

your son's future, Mrs. Errol.

Get those kids off of the back of the-

What's happening?

Get those kids off the back.

You're gonna fall.

You're gonna get hurt.

I'm sorry to make you walk

the stairs again, Mary.

But would you bring Ceddie, please?

Considering your financial situation,

I'm surprised you have a servant.

Mary isn't a servant.

She was midwife to Ceddie

when he was born.

And has stayed on out of devotion

although we could not pay her.

She's all the family

that Ceddie and I have.

I see.

You've not yet said whether you accept

the Earl's offer and all the terms.

My husband loved England.

He loved his father.

It grieved him that he was

alienated from that.

I will accept the terms.

But only because I know

my husband would wish it.

And I think I believe

it will be to Ceddie's benefit.

Your son will thank you one day.

I hope so.

However-

I too have a condition

that must be met.

A condition?

- Yes.

And if it is violated,

I will take Ceddie and return here.

And the condition, Mrs. Errol?

That Ceddie is not to be told.

Nor is his grandfather ever

to reveal to him his dislike for me.

I will not have my child

toward between his love for me

and the affection he should feel

for his grandfather.

You have my word.

Your wishes will be respected.

Thank you.

It will be difficult for Ceddie to

understand why we must live apart.

But if his grandfather's kind

and loving, he will accept it.

And he will be kind and loving,

Mr. Havisham?

The old gentleman would not have

sent me on this long journey,

if his intentions towards his grandson

were not the best.

That is not an answer.

But I will accept it for now.

You're a woman of considerable

strength and purposes.

I'm a motherwho's giving her child

into another's care.

And that care

must go beyond material things.

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