Little Lord Fauntleroy Page #6

- I'm fine.

Do you realize we've

been here a whole month?

- A month?

- Mmm-mmm.

I haven't even wrote-

I haven't written

to Mr. Hobbs and Dick yet.

I'm going to do it

as soon as I get back.

Has your grandfather said anything

yet about your schooling?

He says I'm going to have a tutor.

Why can't I just finish school?

I suppose because it takes

special training to become a Lord.

Sometimes I would just as soon

not become one.

Not if we can't live in the same house.

You promised you would accept it

without question.

Someday you'll understand.

I guess. But I sure don't now.

When you're the Earl of Dorincourt,

you'll be brave and kind.

And do only good for others.

The world will be a little bit

better because a man has lived.

Good morning.

Your foot's better, grandpa.

My gout has receded.

That's fine, grandpa.

I know it must've hurt an awful lot.

I guess that's why you were

grumpy sometimes, grandpa.

Probably.

May I inquire what you are writing?

It's a letter to Mr. Hobbs and Dick.

I should've done it before.

But "Better late than never"

Mr. Hobbs says.

Quite a philosopher, your Mr. Hobbs.

That's what mama says too.

I had a fine dinner with Mama yesterday.

And you know what else she said?

"The world should feel a little

better because a man has lived."

I think the world will be a lot

better because you lived, grandpa.

Thank you.

My fool doctor tells me

I may ride again.

You will accompany me tomorrow?

That'll be fine, grandpa.

Now I'd better finish my letter.

Dugal.

"So you see, it's a mistake about

earls being tyrants.

"It's only that they are the top man.

So they get blamed a lot.

"But then you never knew any earls.

"So I can see how you wouldn't

have a first-hand idea.

"My grandpa has gout in his foot which

makes him cranky. But he is better now.

"I love him very much.

"And so do almost all

of the people who work on his land.

"Which are called 'tenants.'

"Which is different from being

a tenant on Hester Street.

- Make any sense to you?

- Nothing.

They call them tenants over there, huh?

It still means "them which is in

servitude to the aristocrats"!

Let me get on with it.

"The only thing is mama and Mary

don't live with grandpa and me.

"But they got a fine house

all to themselves.

"I'd as soon they live with us.

"Well, that's that.

"Please write a letter to me.

And give my regards to the boys.

"I miss you and Dick.

"There is a dungeonunder the castle.

"But my grandpa never put

anyone in there." Oh, yeah?

"Your old friend Ceddie.

Lord Fauntleroy.

"PS, I have to sign it that way."

I call it queer.

Ceddie's ma and Mary aren't

living in the same house with him.

Queer? What I call it ain't

fit for public consumption.

You don't appear to be

enjoying your ride today.

I was thinking about mama.

You're free to see her

whenever you wish.

I know.

But don't you miss not seeing mama?

Since I don't know her

I can't say I miss seeing her.

I thought maybe you'd want to.

Mama said I mustn't ask you

any questions. So I won't.

I miss her most at night.

I look out my window.

Mama puts a lamp there for me to see.

I'm a long way off. I know what it says.

It says "good night and God's with you."

That's what my ma

used to say to me every night.

We'll go to the promontory today.

There's something you should see.

All this will be yours one day.

Mine? When?

When you're the Earl of Dorincourt.

When I'm dead.

But then I don't want it.

I don't want you to be dead.

Kind of you to say so.

What's way over there, grandpa?

That's where my tenants live.

It's called Earl's Lane.

I'd like to see it.

I don't suppose I've been down there

in 20 years.

I think I better see it as long

as it's going to be mine someday.

Bless you, Lord.

And your sweet mother.

Comes like an angel of mercy.

To bring food and see to the sick.

When you're the Earl, see to it that you

are more responsible than I have been.

Whose lane is to be renovated?

Every miserable cottage.

And I've given the bailiff instructions

for that stinking ditch to be filled in.

It will improve

the value of the property.

Surely.

Hey, who'd think anyone

could sop the heart of that old tyrant.

Sopping? No. Shaming!

You wish to see me your Lordship?

This is a list of the guests be invited.

Guests? For what, your Lordship?

I intend to give a dinner party.

To mark the renovation of Earl's Lane.

No need to look as if the world

were coming to an end.

No, my Lord.

It's just that we've not

had a dinner party for 20 years.

Better late than never.

Where have I heard that before?

Lady Lorradaile!

Yes, Dawson, my sister! Lady Lorradaile.

And Sir Harry.

Yes, sir.

"No need to look like the world is

coming to an end" his Lordship says.

A dinner party here?!

What's more, Lady Lorradaile is invited.

What? They haven't exchanged

a word in 20 years!

His Lordship is proud as a Derby cock.

Thomas, the guest list.

Take it to the top stationary.

His Lordship wants the invitations

written in his best text.

Mellon, a new velvet

suit is to be ordered

for Lord Fauntleroy forthrrghtly.

The guestrooms are to be

aired and ready.

And the castle is to be scrubbed

and polished from top to bottom.

Wilkins will ensure the carriages,

horses and stables are ever good.

As for myself, I intend to lie down

to get over the shock.

"And the Queen asked the magic mirror."

"Mirror mirror on the wall, who's

the most beautiful of them all?"

"And mirror replied..."

You're wrong again. Ill show you.

You have to beat that!

Strike, Grandpa! You win.

Go fetch it! Good boy!

Come on, Dugal, come on.

Cedric is my only grandson, Havisham.

The woman is a fraud.

Quite possibly, my Lord.

But we must be certain.

Have I your permission

to use a private detective?

Dammit, man.

No stone is to be left unturned which

would expose this Minna Boggs

as the imposter she is.

To say my son Bevis married her?

Some eight years ago.

And that the child resulted from it.

Now she claims that it is her son,

not Cedric, is the rightful heir.

Wicked nonsense, Havisham!

I sincerely hope that is the case.

What manner of woman is she?

In appearance, she's handsome

in a coarse sort of way.

At our first brief meeting,

I got that she was a dancer,

who came to England

with some tawdry American company.

Uneducated and openly mercenary, I fear.

I've no doubt there may have been

an alliance of sorts.

Bevis rarely showed discrimination

in his choice of dalliance.

But marriage to a woman of that sort.

That I do not believe.

Put your investigator to work, Havisham.

Dugal finally got the hunting right,

Grandpa.

Pretty sure chewed up my ball.

We'll find another ball.

You're looking very fit,

Lord Fauntleroy.

I'm trying to be fitter.

I think grandpa looks fit too.

That's because we ride every day.

It's good for us.

Have I told you how dear

you've become to me, Cedric?

You don't have to tell me, grandpa.

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