Принц і жебрак

           Theoldmangazedaroundtheroom,glancedateachfaceinturn,andfinallysaid—

           "Iseenoneherebutpaltryknaves,scumo’thestreets.Whichishe?"

           Thejailerlaughed.

           "Here,"hesaid;"scanthisbiganimal,andgrantmeanopinion."

           Theoldmanapproached,andlookedHendonover,longandearnestly,thenshookhisheadandsaid—

           "Marry,thisisnoHendon—noreverwas!"

           "Right!Thyoldeyesaresoundyet.An’IwereSirHugh,Iwouldtaketheshabbycarleand—"

           Thejailerfinishedbyliftinghimselfa-tip-toewithanimaginaryhalter,atthesametimemakingagurglingnoiseinhisthroatsuggestiveofsuffocation.Theoldmansaid,vindictively—

           "LethimblessGodan’hefarenoworse.An’Ihadthehandlingo’thevillainheshouldroast,orIamnotrueman!"

           Thejailerlaughedapleasanthyenalaugh,andsaid—

           "Givehimapieceofthymind,oldman—theyalldoit.Thou’ltfinditgooddiversion."

           Thenhesaunteredtowardhisante-roomanddisappeared.Theoldmandroppeduponhiskneesandwhispered—

           "Godbethanked,thou’rtcomeagain,mymaster!Ibelievedthouwertdeadthesesevenyears,andlo,herethouartalive!IknewtheethemomentIsawthee;andmainhardworkitwastokeepastonycountenanceandseemtoseenoneherebuttuppennyknavesandrubbisho’thestreets.Iamoldandpoor,SirMiles;butsaythewordandIwillgoforthandproclaimthetruththoughIbestrangledforit."

           "No,"saidHendon;"thoushaltnot.