Принц і жебрак

           Andheshallbecured!—ay,madewholeandsound—thenwillhemakehimselfaname—andproudshallIbetosay,‘Yes,heismine—Itookhim,ahomelesslittleragamuffin,butIsawwhatwasinhim,andIsaidhisnamewouldbeheardsomeday—beholdhim,observehim—wasIright?’"

           TheKingspoke—inathoughtful,measuredvoice—

           "Thoudidstsavemeinjuryandshame,perchancemylife,andsomycrown.Suchservicedemandethrichreward.Namethydesire,andsoitbewithinthecompassofmyroyalpower,itisthine."

           ThisfantasticsuggestionstartledHendonoutofhisreverie.HewasabouttothanktheKingandputthematterasidewithsayinghehadonlydonehisdutyanddesirednoreward,butawiserthoughtcameintohishead,andheaskedleavetobesilentafewmomentsandconsiderthegraciousoffer—anideawhichtheKinggravelyapproved,remarkingthatitwasbesttobenottoohastywithathingofsuchgreatimport.

           Milesreflectedduringsomemoments,thensaidtohimself,"Yes,thatisthethingtodo—byanyothermeansitwereimpossibletogetatit—andcertes,thishour’sexperiencehastaughtme‘twouldbemostwearingandinconvenienttocontinueitasitis.Yes,Iwillproposeit;‘twasahappyaccidentthatIdidnotthrowthechanceaway."Thenhedroppedupononekneeandsaid—

           "Mypoorservicewentnotbeyondthelimitofasubject’ssimpleduty,andthereforehathnomerit;butsinceyourMajestyispleasedtoholditworthysomereward,Itakeheartofgracetomakepetitiontothiseffect.