Принц и нищий
Le Roi est mort — vive le Roi
Thenhesaidaloud—
"Andhastthoubeenbeaten,poorfriend,accordingtothepromise?"
"No,goodyourMajesty,mypunishmentwasappointedforthisday,andperadventureitmaybeannulled,asunbefittingtheseasonofmourningthatiscomeuponus;Iknownot,andsohavemadeboldtocomehitherandremindyourGraceaboutyourgraciouspromisetointercedeinmybehalf—"
"Withthemaster?Tosavetheethywhipping?"
"Ah,thoudostremember!"
"Mymemorymendeth,thouseest.Setthymindatease—thybackshallgounscathed—Iwillseetoit."
"Oh,thanks,mygoodlord!"criedtheboy,droppinguponhiskneeagain."MayhapIhaveventuredfarenow;andyet—"
SeeingMasterHumphreyhesitate,Tomencouragedhimtogoon,sayinghewas"inthegrantingmood."
"ThenwillIspeakitout,foritliethnearmyheart.SiththouartnomorePrinceofWalesbutKing,thoucanstordermattersasthouwilt,withnonetosaytheenay;whereforeitisnotinreasonthatthouwiltlongervexthyselfwithdrearystudies,butwiltburnthybooksandturnthymindtothingslessirksome.ThenamIruined,andmineorphansisterswithme!"
"Ruined?Pritheehow?"
"Mybackismybread,Omygraciousliege!ifitgoidle,Istarve.An’thouceasefromstudymineofficeisgonethou’ltneednowhipping-boy.Donotturnmeaway!"
Tomwastouchedwiththispatheticdistress.Hesaid,witharightroyalburstofgenerosity—
"Discomfortthyselfnofurther,lad.Thineofficeshallbepermanentintheeandthylineforever."
