Принц і жебрак

           Seethoubecarefulandcommitnofoolisherror,"—thenheshuthisvoicedowntoawhisper,andsaidintheman’sear—"thepigthouhastpurchasedforeightpencemaycosttheethyneck,man!"

           Thepoorconstable,takenbysurprise,wasspeechless,atfirst,thenfoundhistongueandfelltoblusteringandthreatening;butHendonwastranquil,andwaitedwithpatiencetillhisbreathwasspent;thensaid—

           "Ihavealikingtothee,friend,andwouldnotwillinglyseetheecometoharm.Observe,Ihearditall—everyword.Iwillproveittothee."Thenherepeatedtheconversationwhichtheofficerandthewomanhadhadtogetherinthehall,wordforword,andendedwith—

           "There—haveIsetitforthcorrectly?ShouldnotIbeabletosetitforthcorrectlybeforethejudge,ifoccasionrequired?"

           Themanwasdumbwithfearanddistress,foramoment;thenherallied,andsaidwithforcedlightness—

           "‘Tismakingamightymatter,indeed,outofajest;Ibutplaguedthewomanformineamusement."

           "Keptyouthewoman’spigforamusement?"

           Themanansweredsharply—

           "Noughtelse,goodsir—Itellthee‘twasbutajest."