# XV explained — Little Lord Fauntleroy

> Chapter companion for Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

## What happens

The chapter describes the grand birthday celebration for Lord Fauntleroy, where the tenantry gather to feast and honor him. Cedric gives a heartfelt speech thanking everyone and expressing his love for the estate and his grandfather. The Earl, softened by the boy's influence, begins to appreciate Cedric's mother and the simple, loving upbringing that shaped him. The chapter also follows the fates of Mr. Hobbs, who becomes fascinated with aristocratic life and settles in Erlesboro, and Ben, who returns to California with his son Tom after the Earl invests in a cattle ranch for them. Dick and Mr. Hobbs stay for the festivities, and Mr. Hobbs's republican principles are shaken by the castle and its ancestors.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Belonging

Cedric's speech and the Earl's growing affection for him and his mother highlight the theme of family bonds and belonging.

### Redemption and Change

The Earl's softening and his pleasure in doing kind things show his gradual redemption through Cedric's influence.

### Wealth and Generosity

The Earl's investment in Ben's cattle ranch and the grand birthday celebration demonstrate the use of wealth for generosity.

## Character check-ins

### Cedric Errol

Cedric gives a speech at his birthday celebration, expressing his love for the estate and his desire to be as good as his grandfather.

### Earl of Dorincourt

The Earl is satisfied with Cedric's behavior and begins to appreciate Cedric's mother and the loving upbringing that shaped the boy.

### Mr. Hobbs

Mr. Hobbs becomes fascinated with high life, settles in Erlesboro, and his republican principles are shaken by the castle and ancestors.

### Dick

Dick stays for the birthday festivities and is to receive a solid education provided by the Earl.

### Ben

Ben returns to California with his son Tom after the Earl invests in a cattle ranch for him.

### Mrs. Errol

Mrs. Errol is present at the celebration, and the Earl begins to like her, appreciating her gentle and loving nature.

## Key lines

> And amid the shouts and clamor of applause, he stepped back with a little sigh of relief, and put his hand into the Earl’s and stood close to him, smiling and leaning against his side.

Cedric stepped back, relieved, and took the Earl's hand, standing beside him with a smile.

_Cedric's affectionate gesture toward the Earl after his speech._

> It is a very little thing, perhaps, but it is the best thing of all. He knew nothing of earls and castles; he was quite ignorant of all grand and splendid things; but he was always lovable because he was simple and loving.

Cedric's simplicity and loving nature, not his knowledge of nobility, made him endearing.

_The narrator reflects on the source of Cedric's charm._

> And though he and the Earl never became very intimate, if you will believe me, that man Hobbs became in time more aristocratic than his lordship himself, and he read the Court news every morning, and followed all the doings of the House of Lords!

Mr. Hobbs eventually became more obsessed with aristocracy than the Earl, reading court news and following the House of Lords.

_Mr. Hobbs's transformation into an aristocratic enthusiast._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se/chapters/xv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se/chapters