Принц и нищий
Le Roi est mort — vive le Roi
Yes,Idorecallit,now—goon."
"Themaster,beingwrothwithwhathetermedsuchslovenlyanddoltishwork,didpromisethathewouldsoundlywhipmeforit—and—"
"Whipthee!"saidTom,astonishedoutofhispresenceofmind."Whyshouldhewhiptheeforfaultsofmine?"
"Ah,yourGraceforgettethagain.Healwaysscourgethmewhenthoudostfailinthylessons."
"True,true—Ihadforgot.Thouteachestmeinprivate—thenifIfail,heargueththatthyofficewaslamelydone,and—"
"Oh,myliege,whatwordsarethese?I,thehumblestofthyservants,presumetoteachthee?"
"Thenwhereisthyblame?Whatriddleisthis?AmIintruthgonemad,orisitthou?Explain—speakout."
"But,goodyourMajesty,there’snoughtthatneedethsimplifying.—NonemayvisitthesacredpersonofthePrinceofWaleswithblows;wherefore,whenhefaulteth,‘tisIthattakethem;andmeetitisandright,forthatitismineofficeandmylivelihood."
Tomstaredatthetranquilboy,observingtohimself,"Lo,itisawonderfulthing,—amoststrangeandcurioustrade;Imarveltheyhavenothiredaboytotakemycombingsandmydressingsforme—wouldheaventheywould!—an’theywilldothisthing,Iwilltakemylashingsinmineownperson,givingGodthanksforthechange."