Dick winked his eyes also, and yet they looked rather moist about the lashes.  He was not an educated boot-black, and he would have found it difficult to tell what he felt just then if he had tried; perhaps that was why he didn’t try, and only winked his eyes and swallowed a lump in his throat.

“I wish ye wasn’t goin’ away,” he said in a husky voice.  Then he winked his eyes again.  Then he looked at Mr. Havisham, and touched his cap.  “Thanky, sir, fur bringin’ him down here an’ fur wot ye’ve done, He’s—­he’s a queer little feller,” he added.  “I’ve allers thort a heap of him.  He’s such a game little feller, an’—­an’ such a queer little un.”

And when they turned away he stood and looked after them in a dazed kind of way, and there was still a mist in his eyes, and a lump in his throat, as he watched the gallant little figure marching gayly along by the side of its tall, rigid escort.

Until the day of his departure, his lordship spent as much time as possible with Mr. Hobbs in the store.  Gloom had settled upon Mr. Hobbs; he was much depressed in spirits.  When his young friend brought to him in triumph the parting gift of a gold watch and chain, Mr. Hobbs found it difficult to acknowledge it properly.  He laid the case on his stout knee, and blew his nose violently several times.

“There’s something written on it,” said Cedric,—­“inside the case.  I told the man myself what to say.  ’From his oldest friend, Lord Fauntleroy, to Mr. Hobbs.  When this you see, remember me.’  I don’t want you to forget me.”

Mr. Hobbs blew his nose very loudly again.

“I sha’n’t forget you,” he said, speaking a trifle huskily, as Dick had spoken; “nor don’t you go and forget me when you get among the British arrystocracy.”

“I shouldn’t forget you, whoever I was among,” answered his lordship.  “I’ve spent my happiest hours with you; at least, some of my happiest hours.  I hope you’ll come to see me sometime.  I’m sure my grandpapa would be very much pleased.  Perhaps he’ll write and ask you, when I tell him about you.  You—­you wouldn’t mind his being an earl, would you, I mean you wouldn’t stay away just because he was one, if he invited you to come?”

“I’d come to see you,” replied Mr. Hobbs, graciously.

So it seemed to be agreed that if he received a pressing invitation from the earl to come and spend a few months at Dorincourt Castle, he was to lay aside his republican prejudices and pack his valise at once.

At last all the preparations were complete; the day came when the trunks were taken to the steamer, and the hour arrived when the carriage stood at the door.  Then a curious feeling of loneliness came upon the little boy.  His mamma had been shut up in her room for some time; when she came down the stairs, her eyes looked large and wet, and her sweet mouth was trembling.  Cedric went to her, and she bent down to him, and he put his arms around her, and they kissed each other.  He knew something made them both sorry, though he scarcely knew what it was; but one tender little thought rose to his lips.