Принц и нищий
The Prince a prisoner
Itwasdone.Noneremainedbutthetwoofficials,theaccused,theaccuser,andMilesHendon.Thislatterwasrigidandcolourless,andonhisforeheadbigdropsofcoldsweatgathered,brokeandblendedtogether,andtrickleddownhisface.Thejudgeturnedtothewomanagain,andsaid,inacompassionatevoice—
"‘Tisapoorignorantlad,andmayhapwasdrivenhardbyhunger,forthesebegrievoustimesfortheunfortunate;markyou,hehathnotanevilface—butwhenhungerdriveth—Goodwoman!dostknowthatwhenonestealsathingabovethevalueofthirteenpenceha’pennythelawsaithheshallhangforit?"
ThelittleKingstarted,wide-eyedwithconsternation,butcontrolledhimselfandheldhispeace;butnotsothewoman.Shesprangtoherfeet,shakingwithfright,andcriedout—
"Oh,goodlack,whathaveIdone!God-a-mercy,Iwouldnothangthepoorthingforthewholeworld!Ah,savemefromthis,yourworship—whatshallIdo,whatcanIdo?"
Thejusticemaintainedhisjudicialcomposure,andsimplysaid—
"Doubtlessitisallowabletorevisethevalue,sinceitisnotyetwritupontherecord."
"TheninGod’snamecallthepigeightpence,andheavenblessthedaythatfreedmyconscienceofthisawesomething!"
MilesHendonforgotalldecoruminhisdelight;andsurprisedtheKingandwoundedhisdignity,bythrowinghisarmsaroundhimandhugginghim.Thewomanmadehergratefuladieuxandstartedawaywithherpig;andwhentheconstableopenedthedoorforher,hefollowedheroutintothenarrowhall.
