Little Lord Fauntleroy Page #8

He finds me a great liking.

He would've filled my place

better than I had.

He would've done honor to the name.

Bring the woman here.

And her spawn.

House them at the inn.

And thank you.

Get along, boy. We ain't got all day.

We're gonna see your grandpa, the Earl.

Commoner dirt!

Serves his Lordship right.

Treating the captain's great lady

the way he did.

You should not pass judgment.

Perhaps the woman is

not what she appears.

You don't mind the free talk,

Rev. Muldaur?

I know a tart when I see one.

Well, what's she like, Mrs. Dawson?

Think the worst.

And you'll be half right.

Let her come into the house.

And I'll go out of it.

Get me a cup of tea-no. A sherry.

I feel faint.

How is his Lordship taking it?

As well as can be expected.

What will happen

to little Lord Fauntleroy now?

He'll not be Earl of Dorincourt.

That's what.

I never thought I'd say it but

my heart goes out to the Earl.

I've never seen a man so shattered.

Does it mean I have to go

away from you, grandpa?

That will never happen.

Will I still be your boy like before?

You will always be my boy.

Well, I don't care about the Earl part.

I was just afraid

if I couldn't be the Earl

and I couldn't be your boy-

Who would come visiting

on a raw day like this?

It's his honor. His Lordship, I mean.

Kindly come in, your Lordship.

The chair near the fire is comfortable.

Thank you. I prefer to stand.

I shall only stay a moment.

You know why I've come here.

Mr. Havisham has informed me

of the new claim to the title.

That claim will be contested.

If a contest can be made.

Ceddie will have nothing

that is not his own.

The idea that a child

of that outrageous woman should-

I'm certain that his mother

cares for him as I care for Ceddie.

And if she was your eldest son's wife,

her son is Lord Fauntleroy.

And mine is not.

Perhaps you prefer your son

not to become the Earl of Dorincourt.

There was a time

when I would've been so inclined.

But there is such suffering.

Such poverty.

I know Ceddie would've used his position

to improve the lot of others.

That he would've been

decent and caring.

Unlike his grandfather?

I've not had the pleasure

of knowing his grandfather.

But I know Ceddie loves you.

Would he love me I wonder-

if you had told him, I would

never receive you at the castle?

I think not.

Few women would've remained silent.

I'm an old man. And was tired of life.

Your son gave me something to live for.

It pleased me to think

that someday he would take my place.

It seems that's not to be.

I came to tell you-

that Cedric will be well-provided for,

both now and in the future.

It is your privilege.

And you may see Ceddie

whenever you wish.

I will not deny you his company.

Nor deny him yours.

Thank you. Good afternoon.

Well. Like it's been said,

pride goeth before a fall.

I'm sorry for him, Mary.

This is a bitter moment for him.

Dick!

Dick!

- I got a letter from Ceddie.

- That's good news.

You won't think so when

you hear it what it says.

"Dear Mr. Hobbs and Dick,

"I got something curious to tell you.

And I know you will be surprised.

"It's all a mistake.

"And I am not a Lord.

And will not be an Earl.

"A lady married to my uncle Bevis

has a a little boy.

"And he comes first.

"I don't mind it all,

"Seeing as I can live

with mama and Mary now,

"and go see my grandpa every day,

"which is everything turned around.

- "Isn't it?"

- It sure is.

We are going to stay here because

mama knows that I love my grandpa.

"And that he loves me.

"But I'm not gonna be rich

or be an Earl.

"So there you are."

I'll be blowed.

Now wait. There's more.

"My grandpa is in a terrible state

because you don't like the lady.

"but he'll get over it, I'm sure."

Yeah I'm sure..Uh-huh. Yeah.

"I will write another letter

soon to tell you more.

"I hope business is booming.

Love from your old friend,

"Ceddie.

PS, not Lord Fauntleroy anymore."

You know what? Ceddie's been done in.

Done in proper. In my opinion,

it's a put up job.

That English aristocrat's robbing Ceddie

of his rights because he's an American.

They had a fight against us

ever since the Revolution.

And they're taking it out on Ceddie.

Look it was in this morning's paper,

including a picture.

Hmm. That's Minna!

Yeah, Minna. Minna Errol.

That's what it says.

"Daughter-in-law of English Earl."

Daughter-in-law, my foot!

That's Minna Tipton! That's who that is.

What's the matter with you?

She married my brother Ben!

Yeah, left him flat to go to London

nine, 10 years ago.

With some tinsley show.

And that boy.

He's the spitting image of Ben.

I even know where she had him too.

In Bellevue Hospital!

Well, I'll be jiggered.

There's no question in your mind?

No, sir. That's Minna all right.

- Where is your brother Ben now?

- Kansas City.

Had a postal card from him

just the other day.

He's running some

rinky-dink show down there.

Pack up your brushes and polishes!

I'll pay the damages. Whatever!

We're gonna get ourselves a lawyer.

Faster, man! Faster!

This isn't a funeral!

It's a celebration!

A fraud! I knew it!

But what of her marriage to Bevis?

Illegal since the woman

was already married.

It seems Bevis and the lady tired

of each other quickly and parted.

What is your plan, Havisham?

How do we proceed?

I knew your Lordship

would have no objection

to my moving quickly on this matter,

so I cabled monies

to the lawyer in New York.

To pay passage for the woman's husband

and his brother Dick.

The bootblack?

The same.

And since Dick wouldn't come

without Mr. Hobbs-

- the grocer?

- Precisely.

Their ship docks in Liverpool

the day before Christmas.

I've already arranged

for swift transportation to Dorincourt.

Good.

The woman is still at the inn?

Yes, my Lord. Biding her time.

She's to be told nothingyet.

Nor is anyone to be told.

Lord Fauntleroy, not even to know

that his friends are coming?

Let it be a surprise to him.

Well done, Havisham.

Well done, indeed.

O come, all ye faithful,

Joyful and triumphant!

O come ye,

O come ye to Bethlehem.

Come and behold him.

Born the King of Angels.

O come, let us adore Him.

O come, let us adore Him.

Well, I'll be jiggered!

Christ the Lord.

You live good if you're an aristocrat,

sir.

I wouldn't mind having

my shoe shining concession here.

You could put on a proper circus.

Clowns. Elephants. The big top.

The lady has arrived, your Lordship.

She still suspects nothing, I hope.

Nothing, my Lord.

She believes she's to take up residence.

Show the lady in, Dawson.

Mr. Tipton.

Would you be good enough

to stand at my side?

Minna! I see you've been

up to your old tricks.

This lady is your wife, Mr. Tipton?

Tied the knot nine years ago

this January.

And fathered a little feller

one year later.

Liar!

I never saw your ugly face before!

It's my Minna, all right.

Shrew and fishwife from the word Go.

Who you gonna believe?

Them shady characters or me?

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