Принц і жебрак

           Thenhesaidaloud—

           "Andhastthoubeenbeaten,poorfriend,accordingtothepromise?"

           "No,goodyourMajesty,mypunishmentwasappointedforthisday,andperadventureitmaybeannulled,asunbefittingtheseasonofmourningthatiscomeuponus;Iknownot,andsohavemadeboldtocomehitherandremindyourGraceaboutyourgraciouspromisetointercedeinmybehalf—"

           "Withthemaster?Tosavetheethywhipping?"

           "Ah,thoudostremember!"

           "Mymemorymendeth,thouseest.Setthymindatease—thybackshallgounscathed—Iwillseetoit."

           "Oh,thanks,mygoodlord!"criedtheboy,droppinguponhiskneeagain."MayhapIhaveventuredfarenow;andyet—"

           SeeingMasterHumphreyhesitate,Tomencouragedhimtogoon,sayinghewas"inthegrantingmood."

           "ThenwillIspeakitout,foritliethnearmyheart.SiththouartnomorePrinceofWalesbutKing,thoucanstordermattersasthouwilt,withnonetosaytheenay;whereforeitisnotinreasonthatthouwiltlongervexthyselfwithdrearystudies,butwiltburnthybooksandturnthymindtothingslessirksome.ThenamIruined,andmineorphansisterswithme!"

           "Ruined?Pritheehow?"

           "Mybackismybread,Omygraciousliege!ifitgoidle,Istarve.An’thouceasefromstudymineofficeisgonethou’ltneednowhipping-boy.Donotturnmeaway!"

           Tomwastouchedwiththispatheticdistress.Hesaid,witharightroyalburstofgenerosity—

           "Discomfortthyselfnofurther,lad.Thineofficeshallbepermanentintheeandthylineforever."