Принц и нищий

           Ashenearedthedoorwithhissmallfriend,aroughvoicesaid—

           "So,thou’rtcomeatlast!Thou’ltnotescapeagain,Iwarrantthee;andifpoundingthybonestoapuddingcanteachtheesomewhat,thou’ltnotkeepuswaitinganothertime,mayhap,"—andJohnCantyputouthishandtoseizetheboy.

           MilesHendonsteppedinthewayandsaid—

           "Nottoofast,friend.Thouartneedlesslyrough,methinks.Whatistheladtothee?"

           "Ifitbeanybusinessofthinetomakeandmeddleinothers’affairs,heismyson."

           "‘Tisalie!"criedthelittleKing,hotly.

           "Boldlysaid,andIbelievethee,whetherthysmallheadpiecebesoundorcracked,myboy.Butwhetherthisscurvyruffianbethyfatherorno,‘tisallone,heshallnothavetheetobeattheeandabuse,accordingtohisthreat,sothouprefertobidewithme."

           "Ido,Ido—Iknowhimnot,Iloathehim,andwilldiebeforeIwillgowithhim."

           "Then‘tissettled,andthereisnoughtmoretosay."

           "Wewillsee,astothat!"exclaimedJohnCanty,stridingpastHendontogetattheboy;"byforceshallhe—"

           "Ifthoudobuttouchhim,thouanimatedoffal,Iwillspittheelikeagoose!"saidHendon,barringthewayandlayinghishanduponhisswordhilt.Cantydrewback.