Принц і жебрак
Tom as King
Shehadbeencheated,hadshepaidbutafarthingforit;thatshepaidhersoul,andherchild’s,argueththatsheismad;ifsheismadsheknowethnotwhatshedoth,thereforesinnethnot."
TheelderlyheadsnoddedrecognitionofTom’swisdomoncemore,andoneindividualmurmured,"An’theKingbemadhimself,accordingtoreport,thenisitamadnessofasortthatwouldimprovethesanityofsomeIwotof,ifbythegentleprovidenceofGodtheycouldbutcatchit."
"Whatagehaththechild?"askedTom.
"Nineyears,pleaseyourMajesty."
"BythelawofEnglandmayachildenterintocovenantandsellitself,mylord?"askedTom,turningtoalearnedjudge.
"Thelawdothnotpermitachildtomakeormeddleinanyweightymatter,goodmyliege,holdingthatitscallowwitunfittethittocopewiththeriperwitandevilschemingsofthemthatareitselders.TheDevilmaybuyachild,ifhesochoose,andthechildagreethereto,butnotanEnglishman—inthislattercasethecontractwouldbenullandvoid."
"Itseemetharudeunchristianthing,andillcontrived,thatEnglishlawdeniethprivilegestoEnglishmentowastethemonthedevil!"criedTom,withhonestheat.
Thisnovelviewofthematterexcitedmanysmiles,andwasstoredawayinmanyheadstoberepeatedabouttheCourtasevidenceofTom’soriginalityaswellasprogresstowardmentalhealth.
Theelderculprithadceasedfromsobbing,andwashanginguponTom’swordswithanexcitedinterestandagrowinghope.
