Chapter XI

           WhenMr.Hobbs’syoungfriendlefthimtogotoDorincourtCastleandbecomeLordFauntleroy,andthegrocery-manhadtimetorealizethattheAtlanticOceanlaybetweenhimselfandthesmallcompanionwhohadspentsomanyagreeablehoursinhissociety,hereallybegantofeelverylonelyindeed.Thefactwas,Mr.Hobbswasnotaclevermannorevenabrightone;hewas,indeed,ratheraslowandheavyperson,andhehadnevermademanyacquaintances.Hewasnotmentallyenergeticenoughtoknowhowtoamusehimself,andintruthheneverdidanythingofanentertainingnaturebutreadthenewspapersandadduphisaccounts.Itwasnotveryeasyforhimtoadduphisaccounts,andsometimesittookhimalongtimetobringthemoutright;andintheolddays,littleLordFauntleroy,whohadlearnedhowtoaddupquitenicelywithhisfingersandaslateandpencil,hadsometimesevengonetothelengthoftryingtohelphim;and,thentoo,hehadbeensogoodalistenerandhadtakensuchaninterestinwhatthenewspapersaid,andheandMr.HobbshadheldsuchlongconversationsabouttheRevolutionandtheBritishandtheelectionsandtheRepublicanparty,thatitwasnowonderhisgoingleftablankinthegrocerystore.AtfirstitseemedtoMr.HobbsthatCedricwasnotreallyfaraway,andwouldcomebackagain;thatsomedayhewouldlookupfromhispaperandseethelittleladstandinginthedoor-way,inhiswhitesuitandredstockings,andwithhisstrawhatonthebackofhishead,andwouldhearhimsayinhischeerfullittlevoice:“Hello,Mr.