Принц і жебрак
Tom’s meeting with the Prince
"ParentshaveI,sir,andagrand-damlikewisethatisbutindifferentlyprecioustome,Godforgivemeifitbeoffencetosayit—alsotwinsisters,NanandBet." "Thenisthygrand-damnotoverkindtothee,Itakeit?"
"Neithertoanyotherisshe,sopleaseyourworship.Shehathawickedheart,andworkethevilallherdays."
"Dothshemistreatthee?"
"Therebetimesthatshestayethherhand,beingasleeporovercomewithdrink;butwhenshehathherjudgmentclearagain,shemakethituptomewithgoodlybeatings."
Afiercelookcameintothelittleprince’seyes,andhecriedout—
"What!Beatings?"
"Oh,indeed,yes,pleaseyou,sir."
"Beatings!—andthousofrailandlittle.Harkye:beforethenightcome,sheshallhiehertotheTower.TheKingmyfather"—
"Insooth,youforget,sir,herlowdegree.TheTowerisforthegreatalone."
"True,indeed.Ihadnotthoughtofthat.Iwillconsiderofherpunishment.Isthyfatherkindtothee?"
"NotmorethanGammerCanty,sir."
"Fathersbealike,mayhap.Minehathnotadoll’stemper.Hesmitethwithaheavyhand,yetsparethme:hesparethmenotalwayswithhistongue,though,soothtosay.Howdoththymotherusethee?"
