# Mr. Hobbs — Little Lord Fauntleroy character guide

> Mr. Hobbs in Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Hobbs, Mr. В Hobbs

**First appearance:** 0001-ii

## Snapshot

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

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Cedric Errol](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se/characters/cedric_errol)

_friendship_

Cedric's kind-hearted grocer friend from New York, who later visits England and becomes a loyal companion.

### [Dick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se/characters/dick)

_friendship_

Dick, a young bootblack, and Mr. Hobbs become friends through their shared connection to Cedric.

### [Earl of Dorincourt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se/characters/earl_of_dorincourt)

_social_

The Earl meets Cedric's American friend Mr. Hobbs, initially with disdain but later with grudging respect.

### [Cedric Errol](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se/characters/cedric_errol)

_friendship_

Cedric's kind-hearted grocer friend from New York, who later visits England and becomes a loyal companion.

### [Cedric Errol](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se/characters/cedric_errol)

_friendship_

Cedric's kind-hearted grocer friend from New York, who later visits England and becomes a loyal companion.

### [Earl of Dorincourt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se/characters/earl_of_dorincourt)

_social_

The Earl meets Cedric's American friend Mr. Hobbs, initially with disdain but later with grudging respect.

### [Dick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se/characters/dick)

_friendship_

Dick, a young bootblack, and Mr. Hobbs become friends through their shared connection to Cedric.

### [Earl of Dorincourt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se/characters/earl_of_dorincourt)

_social_

The Earl meets Cedric's American friend Mr. Hobbs, initially with disdain but later with grudging respect.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se/chapters/i)

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

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se/chapters/ii)

Shocked to learn that Cedric is to become an earl, reacting with disbelief and agitation.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se/chapters/v)

Mentioned as an older friend of Cedric's; Cedric put poetry in his watch.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se/chapters/viii)

Receives a letter from Cedric describing the Earl's goodness and life at the castle.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se/chapters/xv)

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

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se/characters/mr_hobbs
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_lord_fauntleroy_se/characters