Принц і жебрак
In Prison
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.