Принц и нищий

           Hendonsaidinacheeryvoice—

           "We’llhavearightheartysupandbite,now,foreverythingissavouryandsmokinghot,andthatandthynaptogetherwillmaketheealittlemanagain,neverfear!"

           Theboymadenoanswer,butbentasteadylook,thatwasfilledwithgravesurprise,andalsosomewhattouchedwithimpatience,uponthetallknightofthesword.Hendonwaspuzzled,andsaid—

           "What’samiss?"

           "Goodsir,Iwouldwashme."

           "Oh,isthatall?AsknopermissionofMilesHendonforaughtthoucravest.Makethyselfperfectlyfreehere,andwelcome,withallthatarehisbelongings."

           Stilltheboystood,andmovednot;more,hetappedtheflooronceortwicewithhissmallimpatientfoot.Hendonwaswhollyperplexed.Saidhe—

           "Blessus,whatisit?"

           "Pritheepourthewater,andmakenotsomanywords!"

           Hendon,suppressingahorse-laugh,andsayingtohimself,"Byallthesaints,butthisisadmirable!"steppedbrisklyforwardanddidthesmallinsolent’sbidding;thenstoodby,inasortofstupefaction,untilthecommand,"Come—thetowel!"wokehimsharplyup.Hetookupatowel,fromundertheboy’snose,andhandedittohimwithoutcomment.Henowproceededtocomforthisownfacewithawash,andwhilehewasatithisadoptedchildseatedhimselfatthetableandpreparedtofallto.