Принц і жебрак

           Marthemnottillthou’stenjoyedthem:thenletthyhandbeheavyasthouwilt.Standforth,lad.Nowsaythyfooleryagain,anthou’stnotforgotit.Namethyname.Whoartthou?"

           Theinsultedbloodmountedtothelittleprince’scheekoncemore,andheliftedasteadyandindignantgazetotheman’sfaceandsaid—

           "‘Tisbutill-breedinginsuchasthoutocommandmetospeak.Itelltheenow,asItoldtheebefore,IamEdward,PrinceofWales,andnoneother."

           Thestunningsurpriseofthisreplynailedthehag’sfeettothefloorwhereshestood,andalmosttookherbreath.ShestaredatthePrinceinstupidamazement,whichsoamusedherruffianlyson,thatheburstintoaroaroflaughter.ButtheeffectuponTomCanty’smotherandsisterswasdifferent.Theirdreadofbodilyinjurygavewayatoncetodistressofadifferentsort.Theyranforwardwithwoeanddismayintheirfaces,exclaiming—

           "Oh,poorTom,poorlad!"

           ThemotherfellonherkneesbeforethePrince,putherhandsuponhisshoulders,andgazedyearninglyintohisfacethroughherrisingtears.Thenshesaid—

           "Oh,mypoorboy!Thyfoolishreadinghathwroughtitswoefulworkatlast,andta’enthywitaway.Ah!whydid’stthoucleavetoitwhenIsowarnedthee‘gainstit?Thou’stbrokethymother’sheart."

           ThePrincelookedintoherface,andsaidgently—

           "Thysoniswell,andhathnotlosthiswits,gooddame.Comfortthee:letmetothepalacewhereheis,andstraightwaywilltheKingmyfatherrestorehimtothee."