Принц и нищий
The Prince and the hermit
Thishappystateofthingscontinuedwhilethetwoatethesupper;then,afteraprayerbeforetheshrine,thehermitputtheboytobed,inasmalladjoiningroom,tuckinghiminassnuglyandlovinglyasamothermight;andso,withapartingcaress,lefthimandsatdownbythefire,andbegantopokethebrandsaboutinanabsentandaimlessway.Presentlyhepaused;thentappedhisforeheadseveraltimeswithhisfingers,asiftryingtorecallsomethoughtwhichhadescapedfromhismind.Apparentlyhewasunsuccessful.Nowhestartedquicklyup,andenteredhisguest’sroom,andsaid—
"ThouartKing?"
"Yes,"wastheresponse,drowsilyuttered.
"WhatKing?"
"OfEngland."
"OfEngland?ThenHenryisgone!"
"Alack,itisso.Iamhisson."
Ablackfrownsettleddownuponthehermit’sface,andheclenchedhisbonyhandswithavindictiveenergy.Hestoodafewmoments,breathingfastandswallowingrepeatedly,thensaidinahuskyvoice—
"Dostknowitwashethatturnedusoutintotheworldhouselessandhomeless?"
Therewasnoresponse.Theoldmanbentdownandscannedtheboy’sreposefulfaceandlistenedtohisplacidbreathing."Hesleeps—sleepssoundly;"andthefrownvanishedawayandgaveplacetoanexpressionofevilsatisfaction.Asmileflittedacrossthedreamingboy’sfeatures.Thehermitmuttered,"So—hisheartishappy;"andheturnedaway.
