Tom’s progress

           WhilstthetrueKingwanderedaboutthelandpoorlyclad,poorlyfed,cuffedandderidedbytrampsonewhile,herdingwiththievesandmurderersinajailanother,andcalledidiotandimpostorbyallimpartially,themockKingTomCantyenjoyedquiteadifferentexperience.

           Whenwesawhimlast,royaltywasjustbeginningtohaveabrightsideforhim.Thisbrightsidewentonbrighteningmoreandmoreeveryday:inaverylittlewhileitwasbecomealmostallsunshineanddelightfulness.Helosthisfears;hismisgivingsfadedoutanddied;hisembarrassmentsdeparted,andgaveplacetoaneasyandconfidentbearing.Heworkedthewhipping-boyminetoever-increasingprofit.

           HeorderedmyLadyElizabethandmyLadyJaneGreyintohispresencewhenhewantedtoplayortalk,anddismissedthemwhenhewasdonewiththem,withtheairofonefamiliarlyaccustomedtosuchperformances.Itnolongerconfusedhimtohavetheseloftypersonageskisshishandatparting.

           Hecametoenjoybeingconductedtobedinstateatnight,anddressedwithintricateandsolemnceremonyinthemorning.Itcametobeaproudpleasuretomarchtodinnerattendedbyaglitteringprocessionofofficersofstateandgentlemen-at-arms;insomuch,indeed,thathedoubledhisguardofgentlemen-at-arms,andmadethemahundred.Helikedtohearthebuglessoundingdownthelongcorridors,andthedistantvoicesresponding,"WayfortheKing!"

           Heevenlearnedtoenjoysittinginthronedstateincouncil,andseemingtobesomethingmorethantheLordProtector’smouthpiece.