Принц і жебрак
The disappearance of the Prince
Milesslippedsoftlyout,andslippedassoftlyinagain,inthecourseofthirtyorfortyminutes,withacompletesecond-handsuitofboy’sclothing,ofcheapmaterial,andshowingsignsofwear;buttidy,andsuitedtotheseasonoftheyear.Heseatedhimself,andbegantooverhaulhispurchase,mumblingtohimself—
"Alongerpursewouldhavegotabettersort,butwhenonehasnotthelongpurseonemustbecontentwithwhatashortonemaydo—
"‘Therewasawomaninourtown,
Inourtowndiddwell—’
"Hestirred,methinks—Imustsinginalessthunderouskey;‘tisnotgoodtomarhissleep,withthisjourneybeforehim,andhesoweariedout,poorchap...Thisgarment—‘tiswellenough—astitchhereandanotheronetherewillsetitaright.Thisotherisbetter,albeitastitchortwowillnotcomeamissinit,likewise...Thesebeverygoodandsound,andwillkeephissmallfeetwarmanddry—anoddnewthingtohim,belike,sincehehasdoubtlessbeenusedtofootitbare,wintersandsummersthesame...Wouldthreadwerebread,seeingonegettethayear’ssufficiencyforafarthing,andsuchabravebigneedlewithoutcost,formerelove.NowshallIhavethedemon’sowntimetothreadit!"
Andsohehad.Hedidasmenhavealwaysdone,andprobablyalwayswilldo,totheendoftime—heldtheneedlestill,andtriedtothrustthethreadthroughtheeye,whichistheoppositeofawoman’sway.
