Принц і жебрак
Tom as King
ItwasnotadmirationofthedecreethathadbeendeliveredbyTom,fortheproprietyorexpediencyofpardoningaconvictedpoisonerwasathingwhichfewtherewouldhavefeltjustifiedineitheradmittingoradmiring—no,theadmirationwasfortheintelligenceandspiritwhichTomhaddisplayed.Someofthelow-voicedremarksweretothiseffect—
"Thisisnomadking—hehathhiswitssound."
"Howsanelyheputhisquestions—howlikehisformernaturalselfwasthisabruptimperiousdisposalofthematter!"
"Godbethanked,hisinfirmityisspent!Thisisnoweakling,butaking.Hehathbornehimselfliketohisownfather."
Theairbeingfilledwithapplause,Tom’searnecessarilycaughtalittleofit.Theeffectwhichthishaduponhimwastoputhimgreatlyathisease,andalsotochargehissystemwithverygratifyingsensations.
However,hisjuvenilecuriositysoonrosesuperiortothesepleasantthoughtsandfeelings;hewaseagertoknowwhatsortofdeadlymischiefthewomanandthelittlegirlcouldhavebeenabout;so,byhiscommand,thetwoterrifiedandsobbingcreatureswerebroughtbeforehim.
"Whatisitthatthesehavedone?"heinquiredofthesheriff.
"PleaseyourMajesty,ablackcrimeischargeduponthem,andclearlyproven;whereforethejudgeshavedecreed,accordingtothelaw,thattheybehanged.Theysoldthemselvestothedevil—suchistheircrime."
Tomshuddered.Hehadbeentaughttoabhorpeoplewhodidthiswickedthing.
