Принц і жебрак
The State Dinner
Heseatedhimselfattable,withoutremovinghiscap;anddiditwithouttheleastembarrassment;fortoeatwithone’scaponwastheonesolitaryroyalcustomuponwhichthekingsandtheCantysmetuponcommonground,neitherpartyhavinganyadvantageovertheotherinthematterofoldfamiliaritywithit.Thepageantbrokeupandgroupeditselfpicturesquely,andremainedbareheaded.
NowtothesoundofgaymusictheYeomenoftheGuardentered,—"thetallestandmightiestmeninEngland,theybeingcarefullyselectedinthisregard"—butwewillletthechroniclertellaboutit:—
"TheYeomenoftheGuardentered,bareheaded,clothedinscarlet,withgoldenrosesupontheirbacks;andthesewentandcame,bringingineachturnacourseofdishes,servedinplate.Thesedisheswerereceivedbyagentlemaninthesameordertheywerebrought,andplaceduponthetable,whilethetastergavetoeachguardamouthfultoeatoftheparticulardishhehadbrought,forfearofanypoison."
Tommadeagooddinner,notwithstandinghewasconsciousthathundredsofeyesfollowedeachmorseltohismouthandwatchedhimeatitwithaninterestwhichcouldnothavebeenmoreintenseifithadbeenadeadlyexplosiveandwasexpectedtoblowhimupandscatterhimallabouttheplace.Hewascarefulnottohurry,andequallycarefulnottodoanythingwhateverforhimself,butwaittilltheproperofficialkneltdownanddiditforhim.Hegotthroughwithoutamistake—flawlessandprecioustriumph.
