One of that handful of fictional characters whose names have passed into common usage, Little Lord Fauntleroy embodies the author's belief that "Nothing in the world is so strong as a kind heart." Young Cedric Errol lives in poverty in New York with his mother. On the death of his English father -- disinherited for marrying an American -- Cedric is summoned to the family castle by his grandfather. There the crotchety Earl plans to transform the boy into a docile, traditional lordling. But Little Lord Fauntleroy does the converting. Through his goodness and innocence, he wins the hearts of his English relatives, who welcome his mother warmly.