Принц и нищий
Tom’s first royal dinner.
Stillnobodyseemedtoperceivethattheprincehaddoneathingunusual.
Byhisownrequestoursmallfriendwasnowconductedtohisprivatecabinet,andlefttherealonetohisowndevices.Hanginguponhooksintheoakenwainscotingweretheseveralpiecesofasuitofshiningsteelarmour,coveredalloverwithbeautifuldesignsexquisitelyinlaidingold.Thismartialpanoplybelongedtothetrueprince—arecentpresentfromMadamParrtheQueen.Tomputonthegreaves,thegauntlets,theplumedhelmet,andsuchotherpiecesashecoulddonwithoutassistance,andforawhilewasmindedtocallforhelpandcompletethematter,butbethoughthimofthenutshehadbroughtawayfromdinner,andthejoyitwouldbetoeatthemwithnocrowdtoeyehim,andnoGrandHereditariestopesterhimwithundesiredservices;soherestoredtheprettythingstotheirseveralplaces,andsoonwascrackingnuts,andfeelingalmostnaturallyhappyforthefirsttimesinceGodforhissinshadmadehimaprince.Whenthenutswereallgone,hestumbleduponsomeinvitingbooksinacloset,amongthemoneabouttheetiquetteoftheEnglishcourt.Thiswasaprize.Helaydownuponasumptuousdivan,andproceededtoinstructhimselfwithhonestzeal.Letusleavehimthereforthepresent.
