However，hisjuvenilecuriositysoonrosesuperiortothesepleasantthoughtsandfeelings；hewaseagertoknowwhatsortofdeadlymischiefthewomanandthelittlegirlcouldhavebeenabout；
so，byhiscommandthetwoterrifiedandsobbingcreatureswerebroughtbeforehim。
’Whatisitthatthesehavedone？’heinquiredofthesheriff。
’Pleaseyourmajesty，ablackcrimeischargeduponthem，andclearlyproven；whereforethejudgeshavedecreed，accordingtothelaw，thattheybehanged。Theysoldthemselvestothedevil—suchistheircrime。’
Tomshuddered。Hehadbeentaughttoabhorpeoplewhodidthiswickedthing。Still，hewasnotgoingtodenyhimselfthepleasureoffeedinghiscuriosity，forallthat；soheasked：
’Wherewasthisdone？—andwhen？’
’Onamidnight，inDecember—inaruinedchurch，yourmajesty。’
Tomshudderedagain。’Whowastherepresent？’
’Onlythesetwo，yourgrace—andthatother。’
’Havetheseconfessed？’
’Nay，notso，sire—theydodenyit。’
’Then，prithee，howwasitknown？’
’Certainwitnessesdidseethemwendingthither，goodyourmajesty；thisbredthesuspicion，anddireeffectshavesinceconfirmedandjustifiedit。Inparticular，itisinevidencethatthroughthewickedpowersoobtained，theydidinvokeandbringaboutastormthatwastedalltheregionroundabout。Abovefortywitnesseshaveprovedthestorm；andsoothonemighthavehadathousand，forallhadreasontorememberit，sithallhadsufferedbyit。’
’Certesthisisaseriousmatter。’Tomturnedthisdarkpieceofscoundrelismoverinhismindawhile，thenasked：
’Sufferedthewoman，also，bythestorm？’
Severaloldheadsamongtheassemblagenoddedtheirrecognitionofthewisdomofthisquestion。Thesheriff，however，sawnothingconsequentialintheinquiry；heanswered，withsimpledirectness。
’Indeed，shedid，yourmajesty，andmostrighteously，asallaver。
Herhabitationwassweptaway，andherselfandchildleftshelterless。’
’Methinksthepowertodoherselfsoillaturnwasdearlybought。
Shehadbeencheated，hadshepaidbutafarthingforit；thatshepaidhersoul，andherchild’s，argueththatsheismad；ifsheismadsheknowethnotwhatshedoth，thereforesinnethnot。’
TheelderlyheadsnoddedrecognitionofTom’swisdomoncemore，andoneindividualmurmured，’Anthekingbemadhimself，accordingtoreport，thenitisamadnessofasortthatwouldimprovethesanityofsomeIwotof，ifbythegentleprovidenceofGodtheycouldbutcatchit。’
’Whatagehaththechild？’askedTom。
’Nineyears，pleaseyourmajesty。’
’BythelawofEnglandmayachildenterintocovenantandsellitself，mylord？’askedTom，turningtoalearnedjudge。
’Thelawdothnotpermitachildtomakeormeddleinanyweightymatter，goodmyliege，holdingthatitscallowwitunfittethittocopewiththeriperwitandevilschemingsofthemthatareitselders。Thedevilmaybuyachild，ifhesochoose，andthechildagreethereto，butnotanEnglishman—inthislattercasethecontractwouldbenullandvoid。’
’Itseemetharudeunchristianthing，andillcontrived，thatEnglishlawdeniethprivilegestoEnglishmen，towastethemonthedevil！’criedTom，withhonestheat。
Thisnovelviewofthematterexcitedmanysmiles，andwasstoredawayinmanyheadstoberepeatedaboutthecourtasevidenceofTom’soriginalityaswellasprogresstowardmentalhealth。
Theelderculprithadceasedfromsobbing，andwashanginguponTom’swordswithanexcitedinterestandagrowinghope。Tomnoticedthis，anditstronglyinclinedhissympathiestowardherinherperilousandunfriendedsituation。Presentlyheasked：
’Howwroughtthey，tobringthestorm？’
’Bypullingofftheirstockings，sire。’
ThisastonishedTom，andalsofiredhiscuriositytofeverheat。
Hesaideagerly：
’Itiswonderful！Hathitalwaysthisdreadeffect？’
’Always，myliege—atleastifthewomandesireit，anduttertheneedfulwords，eitherinhermindorwithhertongue。’
Tomturnedtothewoman，andsaidwithimpetuouszeal：
’Exertthypower—Iwouldseeastorm。’
Therewasasuddenpalingofcheeksinthesuperstitiousassemblage，andageneral，thoughunexpressed，desiretogetoutoftheplace—allofwhichwaslostuponTom，whowasdeadtoeverythingbuttheproposedcataclysm。Seeingapuzzledandastonishedlookinthewoman’sface，headded，excitedly：
’Neverfear—thoushaltbeblameless。More—thoushaltgofree—
noneshalltouchthee。Exertthypower。’
’O，mylordtheking，Ihaveitnot—Ihavebeenfalselyaccused。’
’Thyfearsstaythee。Beofgoodheart，thoushaltsuffernoharm。
Makeastorm—itmatterethnothowsmallaone—Irequirenaughtgreatorharmful，butindeedprefertheopposite—dothisandthylifeisspared—thoushaltgooutfree，withthychild，bearingtheking’spardon，andsafefromhurtormalicefromanyintherealm。’
Thewomanprostratedherself，andprotested，withtears，thatshehadnopowertodothemiracle，elseshewouldgladlywinherchild’slifealone，andbecontenttoloseherown，ifbyobediencetotheking’scommandsopreciousagracemightbeacquired。
Tomurged—thewomanstilladheredtoherdeclarations。Finally，hesaid：
’Ithinkthewomanhathsaidtrue。Anmymotherwereinherplaceandgiftedwiththedevil’sfunctions，shehadnotstayedamomenttocallherstormsandlaythewholelandinruins，ifthesavingofmyforfeitlifewerethepriceshegot！Itisargumentthatothermothersaremadeinlikemold。Thouartfree，goodwife—
thouandthychild—forIdothinktheeinnocent。Nowthou’stnaughttofear，beingpardoned—pulloffthystockings！—anthoucanstmakemeastorm，thoushaltberich！’
Theredeemedcreaturewasloudinhergratitude，andproceededtoobey，whileTomlookedonwitheagerexpectancy，alittlemarredbyapprehension；thecourtiersatthesametimemanifestingdecideddiscomfortanduneasiness。Thewomanstrippedherownfeetandherlittlegirl’salso，andplainlydidherbesttorewardtheking’sgenerositywithanearthquake，butitwasallafailureandadisappointment。Tomsighedandsaid：
’There，goodsoul，troublethyselfnofurther，thypowerisdepartedoutofthee。Gothywayinpeace；andifitreturntotheeatanytime，forgetmenot，butfetchmeastorm。’*（13）
CHAPTERXVI
TheStateDinnerTHEdinner—hourdrewnear—yet，strangelyenough，thethoughtbroughtbutslightdiscomforttoTom，andhardlyanyterror。Themorning’sexperienceshadwonderfullybuiltuphisconfidence；thepoorlittleash—catwasalreadymorewontedtohisstrangegarret，afterfourdays’habit，thanamaturepersoncouldhavebecomeinafullmonth。Achild’sfacilityinaccommodatingitselftocircumstanceswasnevermorestrikinglyillustrated。
Letusprivilegedoneshurrytothegreatbanqueting—roomandhaveaglanceatmatterstherewhileTomisbeingmadereadyfortheimposingoccasion。Itisaspaciousapartment，withgildedpillarsandpilasters，andpicturedwallsandceilings。Atthedoorstandtallguards，asrigidasstatues，dressedinrichandpicturesquecostumes，andbearinghalberds。Inahighgallerywhichrunsallaroundtheplaceisabandofmusiciansandapackedcompanyofcitizensofbothsexes，inbrilliantattire。Inthecenteroftheroom，uponaraisedplatform，isTom’stable。Nowlettheancientchroniclerspeak：
’Agentlemanenterstheroombearingarod，andalongwithhimanotherbearingatable—cloth，which，aftertheyhavebothkneeledthreetimeswiththeutmostveneration，hespreadsuponthetable，andafterkneelingagaintheybothretire；thencometwoothers，onewiththerodagain，theotherwithasalt—cellar，aplate，andbread；whentheyhavekneeledastheothershaddone，andplacedwhatwasbroughtuponthetable，theytooretirewiththesameceremoniesperformedbythefirst；atlastcometwonoblesrichlyclothed，onebearingatasting—knife，who，afterprostratingthemselvesinthemostgracefulmanner，approachandrubthetablewithbreadandsalt，withasmuchaweasifthekinghadbeenpresent。’*（14）
Soendthesolemnpreliminaries。Now，fardowntheechoingcorridorswehearabugle—blast，andtheindistinctcry，’Placefortheking！wayfortheking’smostexcellentmajesty！’Thesesoundsaremomentlyrepeated—theygrownearerandnearer—andpresently，almostinourfaces，themartialnotepealsandthecryringsout，’Wayfortheking！’Atthisinstanttheshiningpageantappears，andfilesinatthedoor，withameasuredmarch。Letthechroniclerspeakagain：
’FirstcomeGentlemen，Barons，Earls，KnightsoftheGarter，allrichlydressedandbareheaded；nextcomestheChancellor，betweentwo，oneofwhichcarriestheroyalscepter，theothertheSwordofStateinaredscabbard，studdedwithgoldenfleurs—de—lis，thepointupwards；nextcomestheKinghimself—whom，uponhisappearing，twelvetrumpetsandmanydrumssalutewithagreatburstofwelcome，whilstallinthegalleriesriseintheirplaces，crying"GodsavetheKing！"
Afterhimcomenoblesattachedtohisperson，andonhisrightandleftmarchhisguardofhonor，hisfiftyGentlemenPensioners，withgiltbattle—axes。’
Thiswasallfineandpleasant。Tom’spulsebeathighandagladlightwasinhiseye。Heborehimselfrightgracefully，andallthemoresobecausehewasnotthinkingofhowhewasdoingit，hismindbeingcharmedandoccupiedwiththeblithesightsandsoundsabouthim—andbesides，nobodycanbeveryungracefulinnicelyfittingbeautifulclothesafterhehasgrownalittleusedtothem—especiallyifheisforthemomentunconsciousofthem。Tomrememberedhisinstructions，andacknowledgedhisgreetingwithaslightinclinationofhisplumedhead，andacourteous’Ithankye，mygoodpeople。’
Heseatedhimselfattablewithoutremovinghiscap；anddiditwithouttheleastembarrassment；fortoeatwithone’scaponwastheonesolitaryroyalcustomuponwhichthekingsandtheCantysmetuponcommonground，neitherpartyhavinganyadvantageovertheotherinthematterofoldfamiliaritywithit。Thepageantbrokeupandgroupeditselfpicturesquely，andremainedbareheaded。
Now，tothesoundofgaymusic，theYeomenoftheGuardentered—
’thetallestandmightiestmeninEngland，theybeingselectedinthisregard’—butwewillletthechroniclertellaboutit：
’TheYeomenoftheGuardenteredbareheaded，clothedinscarlet，withgoldenrosesupontheirbacks；andthesewentandcame，bringingineachturnacourseofdishes，servedinplate。Thesedisheswerereceivedbyagentlemaninthesameordertheywerebrought，andplaceduponthetable，whilethetastergavetoeachguardamouthfultoeatoftheparticulardishhehadbrought，forfearofanypoison。’
Tommadeagooddinner，notwithstandinghewasconsciousthathundredsofeyesfollowedeachmorseltohismouthandwatchedhimeatitwithaninterestwhichcouldnothavebeenmoreintenseifithadbeenadeadlyexplosiveandwasexpectedtoblowhimupandscatterhimallovertheplace。Hewascarefulnottohurry，andequallycarefulnottodoanythingwhateverforhimself，butwaittilltheproperofficialkneltdownanddiditforhim。Hegotthroughwithoutamistake—flawlessandprecioustriumph。
Whenthemealwasoveratlastandhemarchedawayinthemidstofhisbrightpageant，withthehappynoisesinhisearsofblaringbugles，rollingdrums，andthunderingacclamations，hefeltthatifhehadseentheworstofdininginpublic，itwasanordealwhichhewouldbegladtoendureseveraltimesadayifbythatmeanshecouldbutbuyhimselffreefromsomeofthemoreformidablerequirementsofhisroyaloffice。
CHAPTERXVII
Foo—footheFirstMILESHendonhurriedalongtowardtheSouthwarkendofthebridge，keepingasharplookoutforthepersonshesought，andhopingandexpectingtoovertakethempresently。Hewasdisappointedinthis，however。Byaskingquestions，hewasenabledtotrackthempartofthewaythroughSouthwark；thenalltracesceased，andhewasperplexedastohowtoproceed。Still，hecontinuedhiseffortsasbesthecouldduringtherestoftheday。Nightfallfoundhimleg—weary，halffamished，andhisdesireasfarfromaccomplishmentasever；sohesuppedattheTabardinnandwenttobed，resolvedtomakeanearlystartinthemorning，andgivethetownanexhaustivesearch。Ashelaythinkingandplanning，hepresentlybegantoreasonthus：Theboywouldescapefromtheruffian，hisreputedfather，ifpossible；
wouldhegobacktoLondonandseekhisformerhaunts？No，hewouldnotdothat，hewouldavoidrecapture。What，then，wouldhedo？
Neverhavinghadafriendintheworld，oraprotector，untilhemetMilesHendon，hewouldnaturallytrytofindthatfriendagain，providedtheeffortdidnotrequirehimtogotowardLondonanddanger。HewouldstrikeforHendonHall，thatiswhathewoulddo，forheknewHendonwashomewardbound，andtherehemightexpecttofindhim。Yes，thecasewasplaintoHendon—hemustlosenomoretimeinSouthwark，butmoveatoncethroughKent，towardMonk’sHolm，searchingthewoodandinquiringashewent。Letusreturntothevanishedlittlekingnow。
Theruffian，whomthewaiterattheinnonthebridgesaw’abouttojoin’theyouthandtheking，didnotexactlyjointhem，butfellinclosebehindthemandfollowedtheirsteps。Hesaidnothing。Hisleftarmwasinasling，andheworealargegreenpatchoverhislefteye；helimpedslightly，andusedanoakenstaffasasupport。TheyouthledthekingacrookedcoursethroughSouthwark，andbyandbystruckintothehighroadbeyond。Thekingwasirritatednow，andsaidhewouldstophere—itwasHendon’splacetocometohim，nothistogotoHendon。Hewouldnotenduresuchinsolence；hewouldstopwherehewas。Theyouthsaid：
’Thou’lttarryhere，andthyfriendlyingwoundedinthewoodyonder？Sobeit，then。’
Theking’smannerchangedatonce。Hecriedout：
’Wounded？Andwhohathdaredtodoit？Butthatisapart；leadon，leadon！Faster，sirrah！artshodwithlead？Wounded，ishe？Nowthoughthedoerofitbeaduke’sson，heshallrueit！’
Itwassomedistancetothewood，butthespacewasspeedilytraversed。Theyouthlookedabouthim，discoveredaboughstickingintheground，withasmallbitofragtiedtoit，thenledthewayintotheforest，watchingforsimilarboughsandfindingthematintervals；theywereevidentlyguidestothepointhewasaimingat。
Byandbyanopenplacewasreached，wherewerethecharredremainsofafarmhouse，andnearthemabarnwhichwasfallingtoruinanddecay。
Therewasnosignoflifeanywhere，anduttersilenceprevailed。Theyouthenteredthebarn，thekingfollowingeagerlyuponhisheels。
Noonethere！Thekingshotasurprisedandsuspiciousglanceattheyouth，andasked：
’Whereishe？’
Amockinglaughwashisanswer。Thekingwasinarageinamoment；heseizedabilletofwoodandwasintheactofchargingupontheyouthwhenanothermockinglaughfelluponhisear。Itwasfromthelameruffian，whohadbeenfollowingatadistance。Thekingturnedandsaidangrily：
’Whoartthou？Whatisthybusinesshere？’
’Leavethyfoolery，’saidtheman，’andquietthyself。Mydisguiseisnonesogoodthatthoucanstpretendthouknowestnotthyfatherthroughit。’
’Thouartnotmyfather。Iknowtheenot。Iamtheking。Ifthouhasthidmyservant，findhimforme，orthoushaltsupsorrowforwhatthouhastdone。’
JohnCantyreplied，inasternandmeasuredvoice：
’Itisplainthouartmad，andIamloathtopunishthee；butifthouprovokeme，Imust。Thypratingdothnoharmhere，wheretherearenoearsthatneedtomindthyfollies，yetisitwelltopractisethytonguetowaryspeech，thatitmaydonohurtwhenourquarterschange。Ihavedoneamurder，andmaynottarryathome—
neithershaltthou，seeingIneedthyservice。Mynameischanged，forwisereasons；itisHobbs—JohnHobbs；thineisJack—chargethymemoryaccordingly。Now，then，speak。Whereisthymother？Wherearethysisters？Theycamenottotheplaceappointed—knowestthouwhithertheywent？’
Thekinganswered，sullenly：
’Troublemenotwiththeseriddles。Mymotherisdead；mysistersareinthepalace。’
Theyouthnearbyburstintoaderisivelaugh，andthekingwouldhaveassaultedhim，butCanty—orHobbs，ashenowcalledhimself—preventedhim，andsaid：
’Peace，Hugo，vexhimnot；hismindisastray，andthywaysfrethim。Sittheedown，Jack，andquietthyself；thoushalthaveamorseltoeat，anon。’
HobbsandHugofelltotalkingtogether，inlowvoices，andthekingremovedhimselfasfarashecouldfromtheirdisagreeablecompany。Hewithdrewintothetwilightofthefartherendofthebarn，wherehefoundtheearthenfloorbeddedafootdeepwithstraw。Helaydownhere，drewstrawoverhimselfinlieuofblankets，andwassoonabsorbedinthinking。Hehadmanygriefs，buttheminoronesweresweptalmostintoforgetfulnessbythesupremeone，thelossofhisfather。TotherestoftheworldthenameofHenryVIIIbroughtashiver，andsuggestedanogrewhosenostrilsbreatheddestructionandwhosehanddealtscourgingsanddeath；buttothisboythenamebroughtonlysensationsofpleasure，thefigureitinvokedworeacountenancethatwasallgentlenessandaffection。Hecalledtomindalongsuccessionoflovingpassagesbetweenhisfatherandhimself，anddweltfondlyuponthem，hisunstintedtearsattestinghowdeepandrealwasthegriefthatpossessedhisheart。Astheafternoonwastedaway，thelad，weariedwithhistroubles，sunkgraduallyintoatranquilandhealingslumber。
Afteraconsiderabletime—hecouldnottellhowlong—hissensesstruggledtoahalf—consciousness，andashelaywithclosedeyesvaguelywonderingwherehewasandwhathadbeenhappening，henotedamurmuroussound，thesullenbeatingofrainupontheroof。A
snugsenseofcomfortstoleoverhim，whichwasrudelybroken，thenextmoment，byachorusofpipingcacklesandcoarselaughter。Itstartledhimdisagreeably，andheunmuffledhisheadtoseewhencethisinterruptionproceeded。Agrimandunsightlypicturemethiseye。
Abrightfirewasburninginthemiddleofthefloor，attheotherendofthebarn；andaroundit，andlitweirdlyupbytheredglare，lolledandsprawledthemotliestcompanyoftatteredgutter—scumandruffians，ofbothsexes，hehadeverreadordreamedof。Therewerehuge，stalwartmen，brownwithexposure，long—haired，andclothedinfantasticrags；thereweremiddle—sizedyouths，oftruculentcountenance，andsimilarlyclad；therewereblindmedicants，withpatchedorbandagedeyes；crippledones，withwoodenlegsandcrutches；therewasavillain—lookingpeddlerwithhispack；aknife—grinder，atinker，andabarber—surgeon，withtheimplementsoftheirtrades；someofthefemaleswerehardlygrowngirls，somewereatprime，somewereoldandwrinkledhags，andallwereloud，brazen，foul—mouthed；andallsoiledandslatternly；therewerethreesore—facedbabies；therewereacoupleofstarvelingcurs，withstringsaroundtheirnecks，whoseofficewastoleadtheblind。
Thenightwascome，theganghadjustfinishedfeasting，anorgywasbeginning，thecanofliquorwaspassingfrommouthtomouth。A
generalcrybrokeforth：
’Asong！asongfromtheBatandDickDot—and—go—One！’
Oneoftheblindmengotup，andmadereadybycastingasidethepatchesthatshelteredhisexcellenteyes，andthepatheticplacardwhichrecitedthecauseofhiscalamity。Dot—and—go—Onedisencumberedhimselfofhistimberlegandtookhisplace，uponsoundandhealthylimbs，besidehisfellow—rascal；thentheyroaredoutarollickingditty，andwerereinforcedbythewholecrew，attheendofeachstanza，inarousingchorus。Bythetimethelaststanzawasreached，thehalf—drunkenenthusiasmhadrisentosuchapitchthateverybodyjoinedinandsangitclearthroughfromthebeginning，producingavolumeofvillainoussoundthatmadetheraftersquake。
Theseweretheinspiringwords：
’BienDarkmansthen，BouseMortandKen，ThebienCovesbingsawast，OnChatestotrinebyRomeCovesdineForhislonglibatlast。
Bing’doutbienMortsandtoure，andtoure，BingoutoftheRomevilebine，AndtouretheCovethatcloy’dyourduds，UponupontheChatestotrine。’*（15）
Conversationfollowed；notinthethieves’dialectofthesong，forthatwasonlyusedintalkwhenunfriendlyearsmightbelistening。Inthecourseofititappearedthat’JohnHobbs’wasnotaltogetheranewrecruit，buthadtrainedinthegangatsomeformertime。Hislaterhistorywascalledfor，andwhenhesaidhehad’accidentally’killedaman，considerablesatisfactionwasexpressed；whenheaddedthatthemanwasapriest，hewasroundlyapplauded，andhadtotakeadrinkwitheverybody。Oldacquaintanceswelcomedhimjoyously，andnewoneswereproudtoshakehimbythehand。Hewasaskedwhyhehad’tarriedawaysomanymonths。’Heanswered：
’Londonisbetterthanthecountry，andsafertheselateyears，thelawsbesobitterandsodiligentlyenforced。AnIhadnothadthataccident，Ihadstayedthere。Ihadresolvedtostay，andnevermoreventurecountrywards—buttheaccidenthadendedthat。’
Heinquiredhowmanypersonsthegangnumberednow。The’Ruffler，’
orchief，answered：
’Fiveandtwentysturdybudges，bulks，files，clapperdogeonsandmaunders，countingthedellsanddoxiesandothermorts。*（16）Mostarehere，therestarewanderingeastward，alongthewinterlay。Wefollowatdawn。’
’IdonotseetheWenamongthehonestfolkaboutme。Wheremayhebe？’
’Poorlad，hisdietisbrimstonenow，andoverhotforadelicatetaste。Hewaskilledinabrawl，somewhereaboutmidsummer。’
’Isorrowtohearthat；theWenwasacapableman，andbrave。’
’Thatwashe，truly。BlackBess，hisdell，isofusyet，butabsentontheeastwardtramp；afinelass，ofnicewaysandorderlyconduct，noneeverseeingherdrunkabovefourdaysintheseven。’
’Shewaseverstrict—Irememberitwell—agoodlywenchandworthyallcommendation。Hermotherwasmorefreeandlessparticular；
atroublesomeandugly—temperedbeldame，butfurnishedwithawitabovethecommon。’
’Welostherthroughit。Hergiftofpalmistryandothersortsoffortune—tellingbegotforheratlastawitch’snameandfame。
Thelawroastedhertodeathataslowfire。Itdidtouchmetoasortoftendernesstoseethegallantwayshemetherlot—cursingandrevilingallthecrowdthatgapedandgazedaroundher，whilsttheflameslickedupwardtowardherfaceandcatchedherthinlocksandcrackledaboutheroldgrayhead—cursingthem，saidI？—cursingthem！
whyanthoushouldstliveathousandyearsthou’dstneverhearsomasterfulacursing。Alack，herartdiedwithher。Therebebaseandweaklingimitationsleft，butnotrueblasphemy。’
TheRufflersighed；thelistenerssighedinsympathy；ageneraldepressionfelluponthecompanyforamoment，forevenhardenedoutcastslikethesearenotwhollydeadtosentiment，butareabletofeelafleetingsenseoflossandafflictionatwideintervalsandunderpeculiarlyfavoringcircumstances—asincasesliketothis，forinstance，whengeniusandculturedepartandleavenoheir。
However，adeepdrinkallroundsoonrestoredthespiritsofthemourners。
’Haveanyotherofourfriendsfaredhardly？’askedHobbs。
’Some—yes。Particularlynew—comers—suchassmallhusbandmenturnedshiftlessandhungryupontheworldbecausetheirfarmsweretakenfromthemtobechangedtosheep—ranges。Theybegged，andwerewhippedatthecart’stail，nakedfromthegirdleup，tillthebloodran；thensetinthestockstobepelted；theybeggedagain，werewhippedagain，anddeprivedofanear；theybeggedathirdtime—
poordevils，whatelsecouldtheydo？—andwerebrandedonthecheekwithared—hotiron，thensoldforslaves；theyranaway，werehunteddown，andhanged。’Tisabrieftale，andquicklytold。Othersofushavefaredlesshardly。Standforth，Yokel，Burns，andHodge—
showyouradornments！’
Thesestoodupandstrippedawaysomeoftheirrags，exposingtheirbacks，crisscrossedwithropyoldweltsleftbythelash；oneturneduphishairandshowedtheplacewherealeftearhadoncebeen；anothershowedabranduponhisshoulder—theletterVandamutilatedear；thethirdsaid：
’IamYokel，onceafarmerandprosperous，withlovingwifeandkids—nowamIsomewhatdifferentinestateandcalling；andthewifeandkidsaregone；mayhaptheyareinheaven，mayhapin—intheotherplace—butthekindlyGodbethanked，theybidenomoreinEngland！Mygoodoldblamelessmotherstrovetoearnbreadbynursingthesick；oneofthesedied，thedoctorsknewnothow，somymotherwasburnedforawitch，whilstmybabeslookedonandwailed。
Englishlaw！—up，allwithyourcups！—nowalltogetherandwithacheer！—drinktothemercifulEnglishlawthatdeliveredherfromtheEnglishhell！Thankyou，mates，oneandall。Ibegged，fromhousetohouse—Iandthewife—bearingwithusthehungrykids—butitwasacrimetobehungryinEngland—sotheystrippedusandlashedusthroughthreetowns。DrinkyeallagaintothemercifulEnglishlaw！—foritslashdrankdeepofmyMary’sbloodanditsblesseddeliverancecamequick。Sheliesthere，inthepotter’sfield，safefromallharms。Andthekids—well，whilstthelawlashedmefromtowntotown，theystarved。Drinklads—onlyadrop—adroptothepoorkids，thatneverdidanycreatureharm。Ibeggedagain—beggedforacrust，andgotthestocksandlostanear—see，herebidesthestump；Ibeggedagain，andhereisthestumpoftheothertokeepmemindedofit。AndstillIbeggedagain，andwassoldforaslave—hereonmycheekunderthisstain，ifIwasheditoff，yemightseetheredSthebrandingironleftthere！ASLAVE！Doyeunderstandthatword！
AnEnglishSLAVE！—thatishethatstandsbeforeye。Ihaverunfrommymaster，andwhenIamfound—theheavycurseofheavenfallonthelawofthelandthathathcommandedit！—Ishallhang！’*（17）
Aringingvoicecamethroughthemurkyair：
’Thoushaltnot！—andthisdaytheendofthatlawiscome！’
Allturned，andsawthefantasticfigureofthelittlekingapproachinghurriedly；asitemergedintothelightandwasclearlyrevealed，ageneralexplosionofinquiriesbrokeout：
’Whoisit？Whatisit？Whoartthou，manikin？’
Theboystoodunconfusedinthemidstofallthosesurprisedandquestioningeyes，andansweredwithprincelydignity：
’IamEdward，kingofEngland。’
Awildburstoflaughterfollowed，partlyofderisionandpartlyofdelightintheexcellenceofthejoke。Thekingwasstung。Hesaidsharply：
’Yemannerlessvagrants，isthisyourrecognitionoftheroyalboonIhavepromised？’
Hesaidmore，withangryvoiceandexcitedgesture，butitwaslostinawhirlwindoflaughterandmockingexclamations。’JohnHobbs’
madeseveralattemptstomakehimselfheardabovethedin，andatlastsucceeded—saying：
’Mates，heismyson，adreamer，afool，andstarkmad—mindhimnot—hethinkethheistheking。’
’Iamtheking，’saidEdward，turningtowardhim，’asthoushaltknowtothycost，ingoodtime。Thouhastconfessedamurder—thoushaltswingforit。’
’Thou’ltbetrayme！—thou？AnIgetmyhandsuponthee—’
’Tut—tut！’saidtheburlyRuffler，interposingintimetosavetheking，andemphasizingthisservicebyknockingHobbsdownwithhisfist，’hastrespectforneitherkingsnorRufflers？Anthouinsultmypresencesoagain，I’llhangtheeupmyself。’Thenhesaidtohismajesty，’Thoumustmakenothreatsagainstthymates，lad；andthoumustguardthytonguefromsayingevilofthemelsewhere。Beking，ifitpleasethymadhumor，butbenotharmfulinit。Sinkthetitlethouhastuttered—’tistreason；webebadmen，insomefewtriflingways，butnoneamongusissobaseastobetraitortohisking；webelovingandloyalhearts，inthatregard。NoteifIspeaktruth。
Now—alltogether："LongliveEdward，KingofEngland！"’
’LONGLIVEEDWARD，KINGOFENGLAND！’
Theresponsecamewithsuchathunder—gustfromthemotleycrewthatthecrazybuildingvibratedtothesound。Thelittleking’sfacelightedwithpleasureforaninstant，andheslightlyinclinedhisheadandsaidwithgravesimplicity：
’Ithankyou，mygoodpeople。’
Thisunexpectedresultthrewthecompanyintoconvulsionsofmerriment。Whensomethinglikequietwaspresentlycomeagain，theRufflersaid，firmly，butwithanaccentofgoodnature：
’Dropit，boy，’tisnotwise，norwell。Humorthyfancy，ifthoumust，butchoosesomeothertitle。’
Atinkershriekedoutasuggestion：
’Foo—footheFirst，kingoftheMooncalves！’
Thetitle’took’atonce，everythroatresponded，andaroaringshoutsentup，of：
’LongliveFoo—footheFirst，kingoftheMooncalves！’followedbyhootings，cat—calls，andpealsoflaughter。
’Halehimforth，andcrownhim！’
’Robehim！’
’Scepterhim！’
’Thronehim！’
Theseandtwentyothercriesbrokeoutatonce；andalmostbeforethepoorlittlevictimcoulddrawabreathhewascrownedwithatinbasin，robedinatatteredblanket，throneduponabarrel，andscepteredwithtinker’ssoldering—iron。Thenallflungthemselvesupontheirkneesabouthimandsentupachorusofironicalwailings，andmockingsupplications，whiletheyswabbedtheireyeswiththeirsoiledandraggedsleevesandaprons：
’Begracioustous，Osweetking！’
’Tramplenotuponthybeseechingworms，Onoblemajesty！’
’Pitythyslaves，andcomfortthemwitharoyalkick！’
’Cheerusandwarmuswiththygraciousrays，Oflamingsunofsovereignty！’
’Sanctifythegroundwiththetouchofthyfoot，thatwemayeatthedirtandbeennobled！’
’Deigntospituponus，Osire，thatourchildren’schildrenmaytellofthyprincelycondescension，andbeproudandhappyforever！’
Butthehumoroustinkermadethe’hit’oftheeveningandcarriedoffthehonors。Kneeling，hepretendedtokisstheking’sfoot，andwasindignantlyspurned；whereuponhewentaboutbeggingforaragtopasteovertheplaceuponhisfacewhichhadbeentouchedbythefoot，sayingitmustbepreservedfromcontactwiththevulgarair，andthatheshouldmakehisfortunebygoingonthehighwayandexposingittoviewattherateofahundredshillingsasight。Hemadehimselfsokillinglyfunnythathewastheenvyandadmirationofthewholemangyrabble。
Tearsofshameandindignationstoodinthelittlemonarch’seyes；
andthethoughtinhisheartwas，’HadIofferedthemadeepwrongtheycouldnotbemorecruel—yethaveIprofferednaughtbuttodothemakindness—anditisthustheyusemeforit！’
CHAPTERXVIII
ThePrincewiththeTrampsTHEtroopofvagabondsturnedoutatearlydawn，andsetforwardontheirmarch。Therewasaloweringskyoverhead，sloppygroundunderfoot，andawinterchillintheair。Allgaietywasgonefromthecompany；someweresullenandsilent，somewereirritableandpetulant，noneweregentle—humored，allwerethirsty。
TheRufflerput’Jack’inHugo’scharge，withsomebriefinstructions，andcommandedJohnCantytokeepawayfromhimandlethimalone；healsowarnedHugonottobetooroughwiththelad。
Afterawhiletheweathergrewmilder，andthecloudsliftedsomewhat。Thetroopceasedtoshiver，andtheirspiritsbegantoimprove。Theygrewmoreandmorecheerful，andfinallybegantochaffeachotherandinsultpassengersalongthehighway。Thisshowedthattheywereawakingtoanappreciationoflifeanditsjoysoncemore。Thedreadinwhichtheirsortwasheldwasapparentinthefactthateverybodygavethemtheroad，andtooktheirribaldinsolencesmeekly，withoutventuringtotalkback。Theysnatchedlinenfromthehedges，occasionally，infullviewoftheowners，whomadenoprotest，butonlyseemedgratefulthattheydidnottakethehedges，too。
Byandbytheyinvadedasmallfarmhouseandmadethemselvesathomewhilethetremblingfarmerandhispeoplesweptthelardercleantofurnishabreakfastforthem。Theychuckedthehousewifeandherdaughtersunderthechinwhilereceivingthefoodfromtheirhands，andmadecoarsejestsaboutthem，accompaniedwithinsultingepithetsandburstsofhorse—laughter。Theythrewbonesandvegetablesatthefarmerandhissons，keptthemdodgingallthetime，andapplaudeduproariouslywhenagoodhitwasmade。Theyendedbybutteringtheheadofoneofthedaughterswhoresentedsomeoftheirfamiliarities。Whentheytooktheirleavetheythreatenedtocomebackandburnthehouseovertheheadsofthefamilyifanyreportoftheirdoingsgottotheearsoftheauthorities。
Aboutnoon，afteralongandwearytramp，thegangcametoahaltbehindahedgeontheoutskirtsofaconsiderablevillage。Anhourwasallowedforrest，thenthecrewscatteredthemselvesabroadtoenterthevillageatdifferentpointstoplytheirvarioustrades。’Jack’wassentwithHugo。Theywanderedhitherandthitherforsometime，Hugowatchingforopportunitiestodoastrokeofbusinessbutfindingnone—sohefinallysaid：
’Iseenaughttosteal；itisapaltryplace。Whereforewewillbeg。’
’We，forsooth！Followthytrade—itbefitsthee。ButIwillnotbeg。’
’Thou’ltnotbeg！’exclaimedHugo，eyingthekingwithsurprise。
’Prithee，sincewhenhastthoureformed？’
’Whatdostthoumean？’
’Mean？HastthounotbeggedthestreetsofLondonallthylife？’
’I？Thouidiot！’
’Sparethycompliments—thystockwilllastlonger。Thyfathersaysthouhastbeggedallthydays。Mayhaphelied。Peradventureyouwillevenmakesoboldastosayhelied，’scoffedHugo。
’Himyoucallmyfather？Yes，helied。’
’Come，playnotthymerrygameofmadmansofar，mate；useitforthyamusement，notthyhurt。AnItellhimthis，hewillscorchtheefinelyforit。’
’Savethyselfthetrouble。Iwilltellhim。’
’Ilikethyspirit，Idointruth；butIdonotadmirethyjudgment。Bone—rackingsandbastingsbeplentyenowinthislife，withoutgoingoutofone’swaytoinvitethem。Butatrucetothesematters；Ibelieveyourfather。Idoubtnothecanlie；Idoubtnothedothlie，uponoccasion，forthebestofusdothat；butthereisnooccasionhere。Awisemandoesnotwastesogoodacommodityaslyingfornaught。Butcome；sithitisthyhumortogiveoverbegging，wherewithalshallwebusyourselves？Withrobbingkitchens？’
Thekingsaid，impatiently：
’Havedonewiththisfolly—youwearyme！’
Hugoreplied，withtemper：
’Nowharkee，mate；youwillnotbeg，youwillnotrob；sobeit。
ButIwilltellyouwhatyouwilldo。YouwillplaydecoywhilstI
beg。Refuse，anyouthinkyoumayventure！’
Thekingwasabouttoreplycontemptuously，whenHugosaid，interrupting：
’Peace！Herecomesonewithakindlyface。NowwillIfalldowninafit。Whenthestrangerrunstome，setyouupawail，andfalluponyourknees，seemingtoweep；thencryoutasifallthedevilsofmiserywereinyourbelly，andsay，"Oh，sir，itismypoorafflictedbrother，andwebefriendless；o’God’snamecastthroughyourmercifuleyesonepitifullookuponasick，forsaken，andmostmiserablewretch；bestowonelittlepennyoutofthyrichesupononesmittenofGodandreadytoperish！"—andmindyou，keepyouonwailing，andabatenottillwebilkhimofhispenny，elseshallyourueit。’
ThenimmediatelyHugobegantomoan，andgroan，androllhiseyes，andreelandtotterabout；andwhenthestrangerwascloseathand，downhesprawledbeforehim，withashriek，andbegantowritheandwallowinthedirt，inseemingagony。
’Odear，Odear！’criedthebenevolentstranger。’Oh，poorsoul，poorsoul，howhedothsuffer！There—letmehelptheeup。’
’O，noblesir，forbear，andGodloveyouforaprincelygentleman—
butitgivethmecruelpaintotouchmewhenIamtakenso。MybrothertherewilltellyourworshiphowIamrackedwithanguishwhenthesefitsbeuponme。Apenny，dearsir，apenny，tobuyalittlefood；
thenleavemetomysorrows。’
’Apenny！thoushalthavethree，thouhaplesscreature’—andhefumbledinhispocketwithnervoushasteandgotthemout。’There，poorlad，takethem，andmostwelcome。Nowcomehither，myboy，andhelpmecarrythystrickenbrothertoyonhouse，where—’
’Iamnothisbrother，’saidtheking，interrupting。
’What！nothisbrother？’
’Oh，hearhim！’groanedHugo，thenprivatelygroundhisteeth。’Hedenieshisownbrother—andhewithonefootinthegrave！’
’Boy，thouartindeedhardofheart，ifthisisthybrother。Forshame！—andhescarceabletomovehandorfoot。Ifheisnotthybrother，whoishe，then？’
’Abeggarandathief！Hehasgotyourmoneyandhaspickedyourpocketlikewise。Anthouwouldstdoahealingmiracle，laythystaffoverhisshouldersandtrustProvidencefortherest。’
ButHugodidnottarryforthemiracle。Inamomenthewasupandofflikethewind，thegentlemanfollowingafterandraisingthehueandcrylustilyashewent。Theking，breathingdeepgratitudetoHeavenforhisownrelease，fledintheoppositedirectionanddidnotslackenhispaceuntilhewasoutofharm’sreach。Hetookthefirstroadthatoffered，andsoonputthevillagebehindhim。Hehurriedalong，asbrisklyashecould，duringseveralhours，keepinganervouswatchoverhisshoulderforpursuit；buthisfearslefthimatlast，andagratefulsenseofsecuritytooktheirplace。Herecognizednowthathewashungry；andalsoverytired。Sohehaltedatafarmhouse；butwhenhewasabouttospeak，hewascutshortanddrivenrudelyaway。Hisclotheswereagainsthim。
Hewanderedon，woundedandindignant，andwasresolvedtoputhimselfinthewayoflighttreatmentnomore。Buthungerispride’smaster；soastheeveningdrewnear，hemadeanattemptatanotherfarmhouse；butherehefaredworsethanbefore；forhewascalledhardnamesandwaspromisedarrestasavagrantexcepthemovedonpromptly。
Thenightcameon，chillyandovercast；andstillthefootsoremonarchlaboredslowlyon。Hewasobligedtokeepmoving，foreverytimehesatdowntoresthewassoonpenetratedtothebonewiththecold。Allhissensationsandexperiences，ashemovedthroughthesolemngloomandtheemptyvastnessofthenight，werenewandstrangetohim。Atintervalsheheardvoicesapproach，passby，andfadeintosilence；andashesawnothingmoreofthebodiestheybelongedtothanasortofformlessdriftingblur，therewassomethingspectralanduncannyaboutitallthatmadehimshudder。Occasionallyhecaughtthetwinkleofalight—alwaysfaraway，apparently—almostinanotherworld；ifheheardthetinkleofasheep’sbell，itwasvague，distant，indistinct；themuffledlowingoftheherdsfloatedtohimonthenightwindinvanishingcadences，amournfulsound；nowandthencamethecomplaininghowlofadogoverviewlessexpansesoffieldandforest；allsoundswereremote；theymadethelittlekingfeelthatalllifeandactivitywerefarremovedfromhim，andthathestoodsolitary，companionless，inthecenterofameasurelesssolitude。
Hestumbledalong，throughthegruesomefascinationsofthisnewexperience，startledoccasionallybythesoftrustlingofthedryleavesoverhead，solikehumanwhisperstheyseemedtosound；andbyandbyhecamesuddenlyuponthefreckledlightofatinlanternnearathand。Hesteppedbackintotheshadowsandwaited。Thelanternstoodbytheopendoorofabarn。Thekingwaitedsometime—therewasnosound，andnobodystirring。Hegotsocold，standingstill，andthehospitablebarnlookedsoenticing，thatatlastheresolvedtoriskeverythingandenter。Hestartedswiftlyandstealthily，andjustashewascrossingthethresholdheheardvoicesbehindhim。Hedartedbehindacask，withinthebarn，andstoopeddown。Twofarmlaborerscamein，bringingthelanternwiththem，andfelltowork，talkingmeanwhile。Whilsttheymovedaboutwiththelight，thekingmadegooduseofhiseyesandtookthebearingsofwhatseemedtobeagood—sizedstallatthefurtherendoftheplace，purposingtogropehiswaytoitwhenheshouldbelefttohimself。Healsonotedthepositionofapileofhorse—blankets，midwayoftheroute，withtheintenttolevyuponthemfortheserviceofthecrownofEnglandforonenight。
Byandbythemenfinishedandwentaway，fasteningthedoorbehindthemandtakingthelanternwiththem。Theshiveringkingmadefortheblankets，withasgoodspeedasthedarknesswouldallow；
gatheredthemupandthengropedhiswaysafelytothestall。Oftwooftheblanketshemadeabed，thencoveredhimselfwiththeremainingtwo。Hewasagladmonarchnow，thoughtheblanketswereoldandthin，andnotquitewarmenough；andbesidesgaveoutapungenthorsyodorthatwasalmostsuffocatinglypowerful。
Althoughthekingwashungryandchilly，hewasalsosotiredandsodrowsythattheselatterinfluencessoonbegantogettheadvantageoftheformer，andhepresentlydozedoffintoastateofsemi—consciousness。Then，justashewasonthepointoflosinghimselfwholly，hedistinctlyfeltsomethingtouchhim。Hewasbroadawakeinamoment，andgaspingforbreath。Thecoldhorrorofthatmysterioustouchinthedarkalmostmadehisheartstandstill。Helaymotionless，andlistened，scarcelybreathing。Butnothingstirred，andtherewasnosound。Hecontinuedtolisten，andwait，duringwhatseemedalongtime，butstillnothingstirred，andtherewasnosound。
Sohebegantodropintoadrowseoncemoreatlast；andallatoncehefeltthatmysterioustouchagain！Itwasagrislything，thislighttouchfromthisnoiselessandinvisiblepresence；itmadetheboysickwithghostlyfears。Whatshouldhedo？Thatwasthequestion；buthedidnotknowhowtoanswerit。Shouldheleavethesereasonablycomfortablequartersandflyfromthisinscrutablehorror？Butflywhither？Hecouldnotgetoutofthebarn；andtheideaofscurryingblindlyhitherandthitherinthedark，withinthecaptivityofthefourwalls，withthisphantomglidingafterhim，andvisitinghimwiththatsofthideoustouchuponcheekorshoulderateveryturn，wasintolerable。Buttostaywherehewas，andendurethislivingdeathallnight—wasthatbetter？No。What，then，wastherelefttodo？
Ah，therewasbutonecourse；heknewitwell—hemustputouthishandandfindthatthing！
Itwaseasytothinkthis；butitwashardtobracehimselfuptotryit。Threetimeshestretchedhishandalittlewayoutintothedarkgingerly；andsnatcheditsuddenlyback，withagasp—notbecauseithadencounteredanything，butbecausehehadfeltsosureitwasjustgoingto。Butthefourthtimehegropedalittlefurther，andhishandlightlysweptagainstsomethingsoftandwarm。Thispetrifiedhimnearlywithfright—hismindwasinsuchastatethathecouldimaginethethingtobenothingelsethanacorpse，newlydeadandstillwarm。
Hethoughthewouldratherdiethantouchitagain。Buthethoughtthisfalsethoughtbecausehedidnotknowtheimmortalstrengthofhumancuriosity。Innolongtimehishandwastremblinglygropingagain—againsthisjudgment，andwithouthisconsent—butgropingpersistentlyon，justthesame。Itencounteredabunchoflonghair；
heshuddered，butfollowedupthehairandfoundwhatseemedtobeawarmrope；followeduptheropeandfoundaninnocentcalf；fortheropewasnotaropeatall，butthecalf’stail。
Thekingwascordiallyashamedofhimselfforhavinggottenallthatfrightandmiseryoutofsopaltryamatterasaslumberingcalf；
butheneednothavefeltsoaboutit，foritwasnotthecalfthatfrightenedhimbutadreadfulnon—existentsomethingwhichthecalfstoodfor；andanyotherboy，inthoseoldsuperstitoustimes，wouldhaveactedandsufferedjustashehaddone。
Thekingwasnotonlydelightedtofindthatthecreaturewasonlyacalf，butdelightedtohavethecalf’scompany；forhehadbeenfeelingsolonesomeandfriendlessthatthecompanyandcomradeshipofeventhishumbleanimalwaswelcome。Andhehadbeensobuffeted，sorudelyentreatedbyhisownkind，thatitwasarealcomforttohimtofeelthathewasatlastinthesocietyofafellow—creaturethathadatleastasoftheartandagentlespirit，whateverloftierattributesmightbelacking。Soheresolvedtowaiverankandmakefriendswiththecalf。
Whilestrokingitssleek，warmback—foritlaynearhimandwithineasyreach—itoccurredtohimthatthiscalfmightbeutilizedinmorewaysthanone。Whereuponherearrangedhisbed，spreadingitdownclosetothecalf；thenhecuddledhimselfuptothecalf’sback，drewthecoversupoverhimselfandhisfriend，andinaminuteortwowasaswarmandcomfortableashehadeverbeeninthedownycouchesoftheregalpalaceofWestminster。
Pleasantthoughtscameatonce；lifetookonacheerfulerseeming。
Hewasfreeofthebondsofservitudeandcrime，freeofthecompanionshipofbaseandbrutaloutlaws；hewaswarm，hewassheltered；inaword，hewashappy。Thenightwindwasrising；itsweptbyinfitfulguststhatmadetheoldbarnquakeandrattle，thenitsforcesdieddownatintervals，andwentmoaningandwailingaroundcornersandprojections—butitwasallmusictotheking，nowthathewassnugandcomfortable；letitblowandrage，letitbatterandbang，letitmoanandwail，hemindeditnot，heonlyenjoyedit。Hemerelysnuggledtheclosertohisfriend，inaluxuryofwarmcontentment，anddriftedblissfullyoutofconsciousnessintoadeepanddreamlesssleepthatwasfullofserenityandpeace。Thedistantdogshowled，themelancholykinecomplained；andthewindswentonraging，whilstfurioussheetsofraindrovealongtheroof；butthemajestyofEnglandsleptonundisturbed，andthecalfdidthesame，itbeingasimplecreatureandnoteasilytroubledbystormsorembarrassedbysleepingwithaking。
CHAPTERXIX
ThePrincewiththePeasantsWHENthekingawokeintheearlymorning，hefoundthatawetbutthoughtfulrathadcreptintotheplaceduringthenightandmadeacozybedforitselfinhisbosom。Beingdisturbednow，itscamperedaway。Theboysmiled，andsaid，’Poorfool，whysofearful？Iamasforlornasthou。’Twouldbeashameinmetohurtthehelpless，whoammyselfsohelpless。Moreover，Ioweyouthanksforagoodomen；forwhenakinghasfallensolowthattheveryratsdomakeabedofhim，itsurelymeaneththathisfortunesbeupontheturn，sinceitisplainhecannolowergo。’
Hegotupandsteppedoutofthestall，andjustthenheheardthesoundofchildren’svoices。Thebarndooropenedandacoupleoflittlegirlscamein。Assoonastheysawhimtheirtalkingandlaughingceased，andtheystoppedandstoodstill，gazingathimwithstrongcuriosity；theypresentlybegantowhispertogether，thentheyapproachednearer，andstoppedagaintogazeandwhisper。Byandbytheygatheredcourageandbegantodiscusshimaloud。Onesaid：
’Hehathacomelyface。’
Theotheradded：
’Andprettyhair。’
’Butisillclothedenow。’
’Andhowstarvedhelooketh。’
Theycamestillnearer，sidlingshylyaroundandabouthim，examininghimminutelyfromallpoints，asifheweresomestrangenewkindofanimal；butwarilyandwatchfullythewhile，asiftheyhalffearedhemightbeasortofanimalthatwouldbite，uponoccasion。
Finallytheyhaltedbeforehim，holdingeachother’shandsforprotection，andtookagoodsatisfyingstarewiththeirinnocenteyes；
thenoneofthempluckedupallhercourageandinquiredwithhonestdirectness：
’Whoartthou，boy？’
’Iamtheking，’wasthegraveanswer。
Thechildrengavealittlestart，andtheireyesspreadthemselveswideopenandremainedsoduringaspeechlesshalf—minute。Thencuriositybrokethesilence：
’Theking？Whatking？’
’ThekingofEngland。’
Thechildrenlookedateachother—thenathim—thenateachotheragain—wonderingly，perplexedly—thenonesaid：
’Didsthearhim，Margery？—hesaithheistheking。Canthatbetrue？’
’Howcanitbeelsebuttrue，Prissy？Wouldhesayalie？Forlookyou，Prissy，anitwerenottrue，itwouldbealie。Itsurelywouldbe。Nowthinkon’t。Forallthingsthatbenottrue，belies—thoucanstmakenaughtelseoutofit。’
Itwasagood，tightargument，withoutaleakinitanywhere；
anditleftPrissy’shalf—doubtsnotalegtostandon。Sheconsideredamoment，thenputthekinguponhishonorwiththesimpleremark：
’Ifthouarttrulytheking，thenIbelievethee。’
’Iamtrulytheking。’
Thissettledthematter。Hismajesty’sroyaltywasacceptedwithoutfurtherquestionordiscussion，andthetwolittlegirlsbeganatoncetoinquireintohowhecametobewherehewas，andhowhecametobesounroyallyclad，andwhitherhewasbound，andallabouthisaffairs。Itwasamightyrelieftohimtopourouthistroubleswheretheywouldnotbescoffedatordoubted；sohetoldhistalewithfeeling，forgettingevenhishungerforthetime；anditwasreceivedwiththedeepestandtenderestsympathybythegentlelittlemaids。Butwhenhegotdowntohislatestexperiencesandtheylearnedhowlonghehadbeenwithoutfood，theycuthimshortandhurriedhimawaytothefarmhousetofindabreakfastforhim。
Thekingwascheerfulandhappynow，andsaidtohimself，’WhenIamcometomineownagain，Iwillalwayshonorlittlechildren，rememberinghowthatthesetrustedmeandbelievedinmeinmytimeoftrouble；whilsttheythatwereolder，andthoughtthemselveswiser，mockedatmeandheldmeforaliar。’
Thechildren’smotherreceivedthekingkindly，andwasfullofpity；forhisforlornconditionandapparentlycrazedintellecttouchedherwomanlyheart。Shewasawidow，andratherpoor；
consequentlyshehadseentroubleenoughtoenablehertofeelfortheunfortunate。Sheimaginedthatthedementedboyhadwanderedawayfromhisfriendsorkeepers；soshetriedtofindoutwhencehehadcome，inorderthatshemighttakemeasurestoreturnhim；butallherreferencestoneighbouringtownsandvillages，andallherinquiriesinthesameline，wentfornothing—theboy’sface，andhisanswers，too，showedthatthethingsshewastalkingofwerenotfamiliartohim。Hespokeearnestlyandsimplyaboutcourtmatters；andbrokedown，morethanonce，whenspeakingofthelateking’hisfather’；butwhenevertheconversationchangedtobasertopics，helostinterestandbecamesilent。
Thewomanwasmightilypuzzled；butshedidnotgiveup。Assheproceededwithhercooking，shesetherselftocontrivingdevicestosurprisetheboyintobetrayinghisrealsecret。Shetalkedaboutcattle—heshowednoconcern；thenaboutsheep—thesameresult—soherguessthathehadbeenashepherdboywasanerror；shetalkedaboutmills；andaboutweavers，tinkers，smiths，tradesandtradesmenofallsorts；andaboutBedlam，andjails，andcharitableretreats；butnomatter，shewasbaffledatallpoints。Notaltogether，either；forshearguedthatshehadnarrowedthethingdowntodomesticservice。Yes，shewassureshewasontherighttracknow—hemusthavebeenahouse—servant。Sosheleduptothat。Buttheresultwasdiscouraging。Thesubjectofsweepingappearedtowearyhim；fire—buildingfailedtostirhim；scrubbingandscouringawokenoenthusiasm。Thenthegoodwifetouched，withaperishinghope，andratherasamatterofform，uponthesubjectofcooking。Tohersurprise，andhervastdelight，theking’sfacelightedatonce！Ah，shehadhuntedhimdownatlast，shethought；andshewasrightproud，too，ofthedeviousshrewdnessandtactwhichhadaccomplishedit。
Hertiredtonguegotachancetorestnow；fortheking’s，inspiredbygnawinghungerandthefragrantsmellsthatcamefromthesputteringpotsandpans，turneditselflooseanddelivereditselfuptosuchaneloquentdissertationuponcertaintoothsomedishes，thatwithinthreeminutesthewomansaidtoherself，’OfatruthIwasright—hehathholpeninakitchen！’Thenhebroadenedhisbilloffare，anddiscusseditwithsuchappreciationandanimation，thatthegoodwifesaidtoherself，’Goodlack！howcanheknowsomanydishes，andsofineoneswithal？Forthesebelongonlyuponthetablesoftherichandgreat。Ah，nowIsee！raggedoutcastasheis，hemusthaveservedinthepalacebeforehisreasonwentastray；yes，hemusthavehelpedintheverykitchenofthekinghimself！Iwilltesthim。’
Fullofeagernesstoprovehersagacity，shetoldthekingtomindthecookingamoment—hintingthathemightmanufactureandaddadishortwo，ifhechose—thenshewentoutoftheroomandgaveherchildrenasigntofollowafter。Thekingmuttered：
’AnotherEnglishkinghadacommissionliketothis，inabygonetime—itisnothingagainstmydignitytoundertakeanofficewhichthegreatAlfredstoopedtoassume。ButIwilltrytobetterservemytrustthanhe；forheletthecakesburn。’
Theintentwasgood，buttheperformancewasnotanswerabletoit；
forthisking，liketheotherone，soonfellintodeepthinkingsconcerninghisvastaffairs，andthesamecalamityresulted—thecookerygotburned。Thewomanreturnedintimetosavethebreakfastfromentiredestruction；andshepromptlybroughtthekingoutofhisdreamswithabriskandcordialtongue—lashing。Then，seeinghowtroubledhewasoverhisviolatedtrust，shesoftenedatonceandwasallgoodnessandgentlenesstowardhim。
Theboymadeaheartyandsatisfyingmeal，andwasgreatlyrefreshedandgladdenedbyit。Itwasamealwhichwasdistinguishedbythiscuriousfeature，thatrankwaswaivedonbothsides；yetneitherrecipientofthefavorwasawarethatithadbeenextended。
Thegoodwifehadintendedtofeedthisyoungtrampwithbrokenvictualsinacorner，likeanyothertramp，orlikeadog；butshewassoremorsefulforthescoldingshehadgivenhim，thatshedidwhatshecouldtoatoneforitbyallowinghimtositatthefamilytableandeatwithhisbetters，onostensibletermsofequalitywiththem；
andtheking，onhisside，wassoremorsefulforhavingbrokenhistrust，afterthefamilyhadbeensokindtohim，thatheforcedhimselftoatoneforitbyhumblinghimselftothefamilylevel，insteadofrequiringthewomanandherchildrentostandandwaituponhimwhileheoccupiedtheirtableinthesolitarystateduehisbirthanddignity。Itdoesusallgoodtounbendsometimes。Thisgoodwomanwasmadehappyallthedaylongbytheapplausesshegotoutofherselfforhermagnanimouscondescensiontoatramp；andthekingwasjustasself—complacentoverhisgracioushumilitytowardahumblepeasantwoman。