Принц і жебрак
The Prince and his Deliverer
Hendondespatchedhisablutionswithalacrity,thendrewbacktheotherchairandwasabouttoplacehimselfattable,whentheboysaid,indignantly—
"Forbear!WouldstsitinthepresenceoftheKing?"
ThisblowstaggeredHendontohisfoundations.Hemutteredtohimself,"Lo,thepoorthing’smadnessisupwiththetime!Ithathchangedwiththegreatchangethatiscometotherealm,andnowinfancyisheking!Goodlack,Imusthumourtheconceit,too—thereisnootherway—faith,hewouldordermetotheTower,else!"
Andpleasedwiththisjest,heremovedthechairfromthetable,tookhisstandbehindtheKing,andproceededtowaituponhiminthecourtliestwayhewascapableof.
WhiletheKingate,therigourofhisroyaldignityrelaxedalittle,andwithhisgrowingcontentmentcameadesiretotalk.Hesaid—"IthinkthoucallestthyselfMilesHendon,ifIheardtheearight?"
"Yes,Sire,"Milesreplied;thenobservedtohimself,"IfImusthumourthepoorlad’smadness,Imust‘Sire’him,Imust‘Majesty’him,Imustnotgobyhalves,ImuststickatnothingthatbelongethtothepartIplay,elseshallIplayitillandworkeviltothischaritableandkindlycause."
TheKingwarmedhisheartwithasecondglassofwine,andsaid—"Iwouldknowthee—tellmethystory.Thouhastagallantwaywiththee,andanoble—artnoblyborn?"
"Weareofthetailofthenobility,goodyourMajesty.
