Принц и нищий

           Greatnobleswalkeduponeachsideofhim,makinghimleanuponthem,andsosteadyhissteps.Behindhimfollowedthecourt-physiciansandsomeservants.

           PresentlyTomfoundhimselfinanobleapartmentofthepalaceandheardthedoorclosebehindhim.Aroundhimstoodthosewhohadcomewithhim.Beforehim,atalittledistance,reclinedaverylargeandveryfatman,withawide,pulpyface,andasternexpression.Hislargeheadwasverygrey;andhiswhiskers,whichheworeonlyaroundhisface,likeaframe,weregreyalso.Hisclothingwasofrichstuff,butold,andslightlyfrayedinplaces.Oneofhisswollenlegshadapillowunderit,andwaswrappedinbandages.Therewassilencenow;andtherewasnoheadtherebutwasbentinreverence,exceptthisman’s.Thisstern-countenancedinvalidwasthedreadHenryVIII.Hesaid—andhisfacegrewgentleashebegantospeak—

           "Hownow,mylordEdward,myprince?Hastbeenmindedtocozenme,thegoodKingthyfather,wholoveththee,andkindlyuseththee,withasorryjest?"

           PoorTomwaslistening,aswellashisdazedfacultieswouldlethim,tothebeginningofthisspeech;butwhenthewords‘me,thegoodKing’felluponhisear,hisfaceblanched,andhedroppedasinstantlyuponhiskneesasifashothadbroughthimthere.Liftinguphishands,heexclaimed—

           "ThoutheKing?ThenamIundoneindeed!"

           ThisspeechseemedtostuntheKing.Hiseyeswanderedfromfacetofaceaimlessly,thenrested,bewildered,upontheboybeforehim.Thenhesaidinatoneofdeepdisappointment—