Little Lord Fauntleroy · Character

Mr. Hobbs

A staunchly republican New York grocer whose fierce loyalty to Cedric survives earls, castles, and his own shaken convictions about aristocracy.

supporting

Also known as Hobbs, Mr. В Hobbs

First appearance: II

As a supporting figure in Little Lord Fauntleroy, Mr. Hobbs is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A grocer and friend of Cedric, who holds strong opinions against the aristocracy.

In the storyIOpen this moment free

Mr. Hobbs runs the corner grocery where Cedric spends his happiest hours, and he regards earls as a personal insult to democracy. When his small friend is suddenly claimed by England, Hobbs writes indignant letters, follows him across the Atlantic, and tours the castle with comic bewilderment. His grudging admission that he wouldn't have minded being one of them himself measures how thoroughly Cedric's world has unsettled everyone who loves him.

See Mr. Hobbs in I Book page

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Character Web

21 connections

A slice of how Mr. Hobbs sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Social
Other

Character groups

New York friends
Extended cast
Protagonist

+16 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it reveals the Earl’s internal reversal: his pride in Fauntlero…

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Relationships

Cedric Errol
friendship · positive
Cedric's kind-hearted grocer friend from New York, who later visits England and becomes a… How this plays out →
Dick
friendship · positive
Earl of Dorincourt
social · ambivalent
Cedric Errol
friendship · positive
Cedric's kind-hearted grocer friend from New York, who later visits England and becomes a… How this plays out →
Cedric Errol
friendship · positive
Cedric's kind-hearted grocer friend from New York, who later visits England and becomes a… How this plays out →
Earl of Dorincourt
social · ambivalent
Dick
friendship · positive
Earl of Dorincourt
social · ambivalent

Cedric Errol
Cedric's kind-hearted grocer friend from New York, who later visits England and becomes a loyal companion.
Dick
Dick, a young bootblack, and Mr. Hobbs become friends through their shared connection to Cedric.
Earl of Dorincourt
The Earl meets Cedric's American friend Mr. Hobbs, initially with disdain but later with grudging respect.
Cedric Errol
Cedric's kind-hearted grocer friend from New York, who later visits England and becomes a loyal companion.
Cedric Errol
Cedric's kind-hearted grocer friend from New York, who later visits England and becomes a loyal companion.
Earl of Dorincourt
The Earl meets Cedric's American friend Mr. Hobbs, initially with disdain but later with grudging respect.
Dick
Dick, a young bootblack, and Mr. Hobbs become friends through their shared connection to Cedric.
Earl of Dorincourt
The Earl meets Cedric's American friend Mr. Hobbs, initially with disdain but later with grudging respect.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mr. Hobbs in II

In the story

Mr. Hobbs appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
A grocer and friend of Cedric, who holds strong opinions against the aristocracy.
II
Shocked to learn that Cedric is to become an earl, reacting with disbelief and agitation.
III
Mr. Hobbs is deeply moved by Cedric's parting gift of a gold watch and struggles with his emotions, agreeing to visit if invited by the Earl.
V
Mentioned as an older friend of Cedric's; Cedric put poetry in his watch.
VIII
Receives a letter from Cedric describing the Earl's goodness and life at the castle.
XI
Feels lonely and uneasy after Cedric's departure; forms a friendship with Dick and worries about Cedric's safety after reading about Queen Mary.
XIII
Reads the newspaper accounts with bewilderment, writes a letter to Cedric offering a partnership in the grocery business, and joins Dick to consult a lawyer.
XV
Mr. Hobbs becomes fascinated with high life, settles in Erlesboro, and his republican principles are shaken by the castle and ancestors.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. Hobbs unlock in the free preview.

See Mr. Hobbs in II

See Mr. Hobbs in I