Little Lord Fauntleroy Page #4

his mother can't be with him.

And he's not to be told.

That his Lordship orders.

That's a dreadful thing

to happen to her.

Keeping a widow

from her own flesh and blood.

You should've heard her talking

to the servants all last night.

She said one thing

Higgins might've liked.

Him so innocent. And like

dining with his best friend.

Best friend? His Lordship with a temper

and disposition like curdled milk.

Good morning.

Good morning, your Lordship.

I trust you slept well.

Sure did!

This is Mellon.

She's going to look after you.

Pleased to meet you Mrs. Mellon.

Not Mrs. Mellon, your Lordship.

Just plain Mellon.

You're not plain at all.

The and my friend Dick would say

you're smashing.

If you'll get up now, Mellon

will see to your bath and dress you.

And you can breakfast

with his Lordship.

I can dress myself.

And if you don't mind,

I'd as soon take my own bath.

As you wish.

Bring his Lordship

to the dining room when he's ready.

I'll just run your bath, your Lordship.

I prefer you call me Ceddie.

It wouldn't be fitting, your Lordship.

I'm not sure I'm going to take

to being an aristocrat.

Of course you will, your Lordship.

Don't you think this is a big house

just for two people, Mellon?

Oh, I'll wait till you see

the horses and stables.

Think what you'll have to tell

your mama when you see them.

It's a fact. I think

we will be great friends, Mellon.

Bless your heart, sir.

Do I have to wear this funny suit,

Mellon?

You look just elegant.

Besides, it's what his Lordship ordered.

I'm glad the boys of Hester Street

can't see me now.

How's that?

His Lordship is awaiting

breakfast for you.

And I think you best take off the cap.

All right.

What's in that room?

Your playroom, your Lordship.

You mean I have a special room

just for playing?

Mac home my friend Sam's

whole family lives in just one room.

And there are six of them.

- This is all mine?

- All yours.

I wasn't here then.

But Dawson says that all in this room

belonged to your own dear papa.

My own papa?

I guess my grandpa

loved my papa an awful lot.

I think we best go down, my Lordship.

The kippers not to your liking?

I never had a fish for breakfast before.

- What's that?

- I never had Never mind, grandpa.

Eat your breakfast.

I guess I'm not very hungry.

Thanks for the toys and games.

- What?

- Thanks for toys and games!

Oh, games are important.

They prepare a boy

for the larger game of life, I'm told.

They'll prepare you to become

the Earl of Dorincourt.

Becoming an Earl is pretty important.

No need to moon about it.

I wasn't.

I was just thinking about mama.

You're what?

I never had breakfast

without mama before.

You may see your mother later today.

Pardon me, your Lordship.

The Rev. Mr. Muldaur is here.

He says the matter is urgent.

The matter is always urgent

for the Rev. Mr. Muldaur.

Show him in, Dawson.

I never met a reverend mister before..

You're safe from those occasions.

Good morning, your Lordship.

Be good enough to come closer.

I see no reason for us

to shout at each other.

Well, what is it this time?

Another complaint from the parish?

Or an appeal for yet another charity?

My grandson, Lord Fauntleroy.

Pleased to make your acquaintance,

Reverend Mister Muldaur.

And yours, your Lordship.

You've come a long way.

And many will be happy that

you've made the journey safely.

Shall we get on with it, Muldaur?

Lord Fauntleroy is very much

like his father, your Lordship.

He is his father's son.

Well. Who is in trouble now, Muldaur?

It's Higgins of Abe's farm, sir.

He's been ill himself. And his children

both have whooping cough.

He's now behind in his rent.

Your bailiff has told him

that he must pay or leave.

Higgins came to me yesterday

to ask if I'd intervene.

But I beg you to give him more time.

And also a small loan to buy

the medicine the children need.

Higgins is a bad tenant

and worse farmer.

And he's always behind in his rent.

It's true he's not a good manager

of his affairs.

But he is in grave trouble

now, your Lordship.

If the farm is taken from him,

the family will starve.

My grandpa will never let that happen.

We have a philanthropist in our midst.

One who bestows largess

on bootblacks and grocers.

A kind heart for Count Lord Fauntleroy.

In that way,

he is certainly like his father.

But unlike his grandfather?

I think you've got the kindest heart

in the whole world, grandpa.

And I ought to know.

You would help Higgins?

I can't. But I know you will.

Inform Higgins

he has two weeks in which

to pay his rent or forsake the farm.

I beg you to reconsider, your Lordship.

Good morning, Muldaur.

Good day, sir.

What is it?

I bet you have a good reason

for not helping Higgins, grandpa.

You've not yet been taught

the responsibilities

of your future position.

But when you are,

you will understand that is essential

to be firm with underlings.

What's "underlings"?

Parasites, like Higgins.

They prefer to live off charity

rather than do honest work.

Ahh.

If you have no wish for more breakfast,

we'll go to the stables.

- I just got a trait.

- What trait?

Why you said you are not

going to help Higgins.

Even though I know you are.

And?

Of course you are. You said it yourself.

I'm going to have

to learn responsibilities

if I'm going to become

the Earl someday.

You don't have to pretend

you're not going help Higgins

just so I can learn

responsibilities, grandpa.

Come, well go to the stables.

If you don't mind,

I'd like to go see mama first.

There's a pony in the stables.

Your own pony.

My own pony!

You give me everything, grandpa!

But I'll go see mama first.

Sure got lots to tell dearest.

Dearest? What's dearest?

I guess I can tell you,

since you're my grandpa.

I already told Mr. Hobbs.

I call mama "dearest" sometimes.

Because that's what

papa used to call her.

I can't wait to tell Mama about all

the things you've given me, grandpa.

I think you're the best grandpa

in the whole world!

- Know what I just thought of, grandpa?

- What?

What people really don't

understand about aristocrats.

I'm going to write to Mr. Hobbs

and set him straight.

I gather you're Mr. Hobbs has

a low opinion of aristocrats.

Well, he thinks they're tyrants.

That's because he doesn't know

any of them.

So I'm going to tell them

that you're the best ever.

And when I grow up,

I wanna be just like you.

It's a joy to me

now that I'm going to be an Earl.

I can't become a Democrat

or become president.

Which is what Mr. Hobbs

had in mind for me.

President?

You will go to the House of Lords!

Is it just as good as being President?

Poor child. Infinitely superior!

Go on there.

Come on. Come on.

Whoa.

I'll get out first.

Then you can lean on me, grandpa.

I'm not getting out.

You're not going to see Mama?

I've important business to attend to.

Mama will be very disappointed.

Hustings will come for you

in two hours time.

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