Принц и нищий
The Prince and his Deliverer
Andheshallbecured!—ay,madewholeandsound—thenwillhemakehimselfaname—andproudshallIbetosay,‘Yes,heismine—Itookhim,ahomelesslittleragamuffin,butIsawwhatwasinhim,andIsaidhisnamewouldbeheardsomeday—beholdhim,observehim—wasIright?’"
TheKingspoke—inathoughtful,measuredvoice—
"Thoudidstsavemeinjuryandshame,perchancemylife,andsomycrown.Suchservicedemandethrichreward.Namethydesire,andsoitbewithinthecompassofmyroyalpower,itisthine."
ThisfantasticsuggestionstartledHendonoutofhisreverie.HewasabouttothanktheKingandputthematterasidewithsayinghehadonlydonehisdutyanddesirednoreward,butawiserthoughtcameintohishead,andheaskedleavetobesilentafewmomentsandconsiderthegraciousoffer—anideawhichtheKinggravelyapproved,remarkingthatitwasbesttobenottoohastywithathingofsuchgreatimport.
Milesreflectedduringsomemoments,thensaidtohimself,"Yes,thatisthethingtodo—byanyothermeansitwereimpossibletogetatit—andcertes,thishour’sexperiencehastaughtme‘twouldbemostwearingandinconvenienttocontinueitasitis.Yes,Iwillproposeit;‘twasahappyaccidentthatIdidnotthrowthechanceaway."Thenhedroppedupononekneeandsaid—
"Mypoorservicewentnotbeyondthelimitofasubject’ssimpleduty,andthereforehathnomerit;butsinceyourMajestyispleasedtoholditworthysomereward,Itakeheartofgracetomakepetitiontothiseffect.
