Принц и нищий
Tom’s progress
DidTomCantyneverfeeltroubledaboutthepoorlittlerightfulprincewhohadtreatedhimsokindly,andflownoutwithsuchhotzealtoavengehimupontheinsolentsentinelatthepalace-gate?Yes;hisfirstroyaldaysandnightswereprettywellsprinkledwithpainfulthoughtsaboutthelostprince,andwithsincerelongingsforhisreturn,andhappyrestorationtohisnativerightsandsplendours.Butastimeworeon,andtheprincedidnotcome,Tom’smindbecamemoreandmoreoccupiedwithhisnewandenchantingexperiences,andbylittleandlittlethevanishedmonarchfadedalmostoutofhisthoughts;andfinally,whenhedidintrudeuponthematintervals,hewasbecomeanunwelcomespectre,forhemadeTomfeelguiltyandashamed.
Tom’spoormotherandsisterstravelledthesameroadoutofhismind.Atfirsthepinedforthem,sorrowedforthem,longedtoseethem,butlater,thethoughtoftheircomingsomedayintheirragsanddirt,andbetrayinghimwiththeirkisses,andpullinghimdownfromhisloftyplace,anddragginghimbacktopenuryanddegradationandtheslums,madehimshudder.Atlasttheyceasedtotroublehisthoughtsalmostwholly.Andhewascontent,evenglad:for,whenevertheirmournfulandaccusingfacesdidrisebeforehimnow,theymadehimfeelmoredespicablethanthewormsthatcrawl
