Английский язык с Марком Твеном. Принц и нищий / Mark Twain. The Prince and the Pauper

CHAPTER II (Глава вторая)

LET us skip a number of years (позволим нам перепрыгнуть = давайте пропустим некоторое число = несколько лет).

London was fifteen hundred years old (Лондону было полторы тысячи: «15 сотен» лет), and was a great town (и был огромным городом) — for that day (для того дня = времени). It had a hundred thousand inhabitants (он имел сотню тысяч жителей) — some think double as many (некоторые думают (что) в два раза больше: «дважды так много»). The streets (улицы) were very narrow (были очень узкие), and crooked (и кривые), and dirty (и грязные), especially in the part where (особенно в той части где) Tom Canty lived (жил Том Кэнти), which was not far from (что было не далеко от) London Bridge (Лондонского моста).

The houses were of wood (дома были из дерева), with the second story projecting over the first (со вторым этажом, выступавшим над первым), and the third sticking its elbows out beyond the second (и третьим, выставлявшим свои локти над вторым; beyond — вне, за пределами). The higher the houses grew (чем выше дома становились; to grow — расти), the broader (тем шире) they grew (они становились). They were skeletons of strong crisscross beams (они были скелетами из крепких крест-накрест балок), with solid material between (с твердым материалом между /ними/), coated with plaster (покрытых штукатуркой). The beams were painted red (балки были покрашены красным) or blue (или синим) or black (или черным), according to the owner's taste (в соответствии со вкусом хозяина; owner — владелец; to own — владеть), and this gave the houses a very picturesque look (и это придавало домам очень живописный вид). The windows were small (окна были маленькие), glazed with little diamond-shaped panes (застекленные маленькими ромбовидными стеклами; diamond — бриллиант, ромб; shape — форма) and they opened outward (и они открывались вперед = наружу), on hinges (на петлях), like doors (как двери).

The house which Tom's father lived in (дом, в котором жил отец Тома) was in a foul little pocket (был в вонючем маленьком закоулке: «кармане») called Offal Court (называвшемся Тупиком Отбросов; court — двор), out of Pudding Lane (рядом с (улицей) Пудинг-лейн; out — из). It was small, decayed (он был маленький, обветшалый; to decay — разлагаться, приходить в упадок), and rickety (и расшатанный), but it was packed full (но он был набит полностью) of wretchedly poor families (жалкими: «/самым/ жалким образом» бедными семьями = бедными до убожества семьями). Canty's tribe occupied (род Кэнти занимал; tribe — племя) a room on the third floor (комнату на четвертом: «третьем» этаже). The mother and father had a sort of bedstead (мать и отец имели подобие кровати) in the corner (в углу); but Tom (но Том), his grandmother (его бабушка), and his two sisters, Bet and Nan (и его две сестры, Бет и Нэн), were not restricted (не были ограничены) — they had all the floor to themselves (весь пол для себя), and might sleep where they chose (и могли спать где они выбирали = где хотели; to chose — выбирать). There were the remains of a blanket or two (были остатки одеяла или двух = нескольких одеял), and some bundles of ancient and dirty straw (и несколько охапок древней и грязной соломы), but these could not rightly be called beds (но эти = они не могли быть правильно быть названы кроватями), for they were not organized (так как они не были организованы = устроены); they were kicked into a general pile (они /небрежно/ складывались в общую кучу; to kick — пинать) mornings (по утрам: «утра»), and selections were made from the mass at night (и выбор делался из этой массы по вечерам).

especially [ıs`peSəlı], material [mə`tıərıəl], ancient [`eınSənt]

LET us skip a number of years.

London was fifteen hundred years old, and was a great town — for that day. It had a hundred thousand inhabitants — some think double as many. The streets were very narrow, and crooked, and dirty, especially in the part where Tom Canty lived, which was not far from London Bridge.

The houses were of wood, with the second story projecting over the first, and the third sticking its elbows out beyond the second. The higher the houses grew, the broader they grew. They were skeletons of strong crisscross beams, with solid material between, coated with plaster. The beams were painted red or blue or black, according to the owner's taste, and this gave the houses a very picturesque look. The windows were small, glazed with little diamond-shaped panes, and they opened outward, on hinges, like doors.

The house which Tom's father lived in was up a foul little pocket called Offal Court, out of Pudding Lane. It was small, decayed, and rickety, but it was packed full of wretchedly poor families. Canty's tribe occupied a room on the third floor. The mother and father had a sort of bedstead in the corner; but Tom, his grandmother, and his two sisters, Bet and Nan, were not restricted — they had all the floor to themselves, and might sleep where they chose. There were the remains of a blanket or two, and some bundles of ancient and dirty straw, but these could not rightly be called beds, for they were not organized; they were kicked into a general pile mornings, and selections made from the mass at night.

Bet and Nan were fifteen years old twins (Бет и Нэн были пятнадцатилетние двойняшки; year — год; old — старый). They were good-hearted girls (они были добросердечные девушки; heart — сердце), unclean (нечистые), clothed in rags (одетые в лохмотья), and profoundly ignorant (и глубоко невежественные). Their mother was like them (их мать была, как они). But the father and the grandmother were a couple of fiends (но отец и бабушка были парой дьяволов). They got drunk (они напивались; to get — становиться; drunk — пьяный) whenever they could (когда только они могли); then they fought (затем они дрались; to fight) each other (друг с другом) or anybody else (или с кем угодно еще) who came in the way (кто попадался им на пути); they cursed and swore always (они ругались и сквернословили всегда; to swear — ругаться; клясться), drunk or sober (пьяные или трезвые); John Canty was a thief (Джон Кэнти был вор), and his mother a beggar (а его мать попрошайка).

They made beggars of the children (они сделали попрошаек из детей), but failed (но не смогли; to fail — потерпеть неудачу, провалиться, не смочь) to make thieves of them (сделать воров из них). Among (среди), but not of (но не из /числа/), the dreadful rabble (страшного сброда) that inhabited the house (который населял этот дом), was a good old priest (был добрый старый священник) whom the king (которого король) had turned out of house and home (выбросил из дома) with a pension of a few farthings (с пенсией (в размере) нескольких фартингов), and he used to get (и он усаживал; used to do smth — когда-то давно делать что-то) the children aside (детей рядом) and teach them right ways (и учил их правильным путям = добру) secretly (втайне). Father Andrew also taught Tom a little Latin (отец Эндрю также учил Тома немного латинскому языку), and how to read and write (и как читать и писать); and would have done the same for the girls (и сделал бы то же и для девочек), but they were afraid of the jeers (но они боялись насмешек; afraid — испуганный) of their friends (их друзей), who could not have endured (которые не могли бы вынести) such a queer accomplishment in them (такое странное достижение у них).

clothe [klquð], thief [θi:f], endure [ın`djuə]

Bet and Nan were fifteen years old twins. They were good-hearted girls, unclean, clothed in rags, and profoundly ignorant. Their mother was like them. But the father and the grandmother were a couple of fiends. They got drunk whenever they could; then they fought each other or anybody else who came in the way; they cursed and swore always, drunk or sober; John Canty was a thief, and his mother a beggar.

They made beggars of the children, but failed to make thieves of them. Among, but not of, the dreadful rabble that inhabited the house, was a good old priest whom the king had turned out of house and home with a pension of a few farthings, and he used to get the children aside and teach them right ways secretly. Father Andrew also taught Tom a little Latin, and how to read and write; and would have done the same for the girls, but they were afraid of the jeers of their friends, who could not have endured such a queer accomplishment in them.

All Offal Court was just such another hive (весь Тупик отбросов был прямо такой же улей = скопище людей) as Canty's house (как дом Кэнти). Drunkenness, riot, and brawling (пьянство, буйство и ссоры) were the order there (были порядком = обычным делом там), every night and nearly all night long (каждую ночь и почти всю ночь длиной = все ночи напролет). Broken heads were as common as hunger (разбитые головы были так же обычны, как голод; to break — ломать, разбивать) in that place (в этом месте). Yet (и все же) little Tom was not unhappy (маленький Том не был несчастлив). He had a hard time of it (он переживал тяжелое время от этого = ему приходилось трудно), but did not know it (но не знал этого). It was the sort of time that all the Offal Court boys had (то же было у всех мальчиков из Тупика отбросов: «это была разновидность времени, которое переживали все…»), therefore he supposed it was the correct and comfortable thing (поэтому он предполагал, (что) это было правильно и удобно: «правильная и удобная вещь»). When he came home empty-handed at night (когда он приходил домой с пустыми руками: «пусторукий» ночью), he knew his father would curse him (он знал (что) его отец будет его ругать ) and thrash him first (и побьет сначала), and that when he was done (и что когда он закончит; to be done — закончить с чем-либо) the awful grandmother would do it all over again (ужасная бабушка сделает это все снова) and improve on it (и улучшит это = добавит еще); and that away in the night (и что глубоко ночью; away — прочь) his starving mother (его голодающая мать) would slip to him stealthily (проберется к нему украдкой) with any miserable scrap of crust (со сколькими-нибудь жалкими остатками от хлеба; crust — корка /хлеба/, сухарь, черствый хлеб) she had been able to save for him (/которые/ она смогла припасти для него; able — способный) by going hungry herself (становясь голодной сама), notwithstanding (несмотря на то, что) she was often caught in that sort of treason (часто попадалась на таком предательстве; to catch — ловить; sort — разновидность) and soundly beaten (и (была) сильно бита; to beat — бить) for it (за это) by her husband (ее мужем).

No (нет), Tom's life went along well enough (жизнь Тома шла хорошо вполне), especially in summer (особенно летом). He only begged just enough to save himself (он выпрашивал лишь на то, чтобы сохранить себя = выжить; only — только; enough — достаточно), for the laws against mendicancy were stringent (ибо законы против попрошайничества были строги), and the penalties heavy (а наказания тяжелы); so he put in a good deal of his time (так что он потратил уйму своего времени; put — класть; deal — доля, количество) listening to good Father Andrew's charming old tales and legends (слушая чарующие старые сказки и легенды отца Эндрю) about giants and fairies (о великанах и феях), dwarfs and genii (карликах и джиннах), and enchanted castles, and gorgeous kings and princes (и заколдованных замках, и прекрасных королях и принцах). His head grew to be full of these wonderful things (его голова наполнилась: «стала быть полной» этими прекрасными вещами), and many nights as he lay in the dark (и многими ночами пока он лежал в темноте; to lie — лежать) on his scant and offensive straw (на своей скудной и колкой соломе), tired, hungry (усталый, голодный), and smarting from a thrashing (и испытывающий боль от побоев), he unleashed his imagination (он отпускал на волю свое воображение; leash — поводок, цепь) and soon forgot his aches and pains (и скоро забывал свои боли и страдания) in delicious picturings to himself (в сладостном воображении себе) of the charmed life of a petted prince in a regal palace (восхитительной жизни изнеженного принца в королевском дворце; to pet — баловать, ласкать). One desire (одно желание) came in time to haunt him day and night (преследовала его днем и ночью); it was to see a real prince (это было увидеть настоящего принца), with his own eyes (своими собственными глазами). He spoke of it once to some of his Offal Court comrades (он говорил об этом однажды некоторым своим товарищам из Тупика отбросов); but they jeered him and scoffed him so unmercifully (но они высмеяли и задразнили его столь безжалостно) that he was glad to keep his dream to himself (что он был рад сохранить свою мечту при себе) after that (после этого).

He often read the priest's old books (он часто читал старые книги священника) and got him to explain and enlarge upon them (и упрашивал его объяснять и дополнять их). His dreamings and readings worked certain changes (его мечтания и чтение выработали определенные изменения) in him by and by (в нем постепенно). His dream-people were so fine (люди из его мечтаний были столь прекрасными; people — люди) that he grew to lament (что он стал тяготиться; to lament — жаловаться) his shabby clothing and his dirt (своей ветхой одеждой и своей грязью), and to wish to be clean and better clad (и желать быть чистым и лучше одетым). He went on playing (он продолжал играть; to go on — продолжать) in the mud just the same ( в грязи, как прежде/все равно: «прямо так же»), and enjoying it, too (и наслаждаться этим тоже); but instead of splashing around (но вместо (того, чтобы) плескаться; around — вокруг) in the Thames solely for the fun of it (в Темзе только ради веселья от этого), he began to find an added value in it (он начал находить дополнительную ценность в этом; to add — добавлять) because of the washings and cleansings it afforded (из-за мытья и очищения, (которое) оно предоставляло).

comfortable [`kAmftəb(ə)l], enough [ı`nAf], ache [eık], Thames [temz]

All Offal Court was just such another hive as Canty's house. Drunkenness, riot, and brawling were the order there, every night and nearly all night long. Broken heads were as common as hunger in that place. Yet little Tom was not unhappy. He had a hard time of it, but did not know it. It was the sort of time that all the Offal Court boys had, therefore he supposed it was the correct and comfortable thing. When he came home empty-handed at night, he knew his father would curse him and thrash him first, and that when he was done the awful grandmother would do it all over again and improve on it; and that away in the night his starving mother would slip to him stealthily with any miserable scrap of crust she had been able to save for him by going hungry herself, notwithstanding she was often caught in that sort of treason and soundly beaten for it by her husband.

No, Tom's life went along well enough, especially in summer. He only begged just enough to save himself, for the laws against mendicancy were stringent, and the penalties heavy; so he put in a good deal of his time listening to good Father Andrew's charming old tales and legends about giants and fairies, dwarfs and genii, and enchanted castles, and gorgeous kings and princes. His head grew to be full of these wonderful things, and many a night as he lay in the dark on his scant and offensive straw, tired, hungry, and smarting from a thrashing, he unleashed his imagination and soon forgot his aches and pains in delicious picturings to himself of the charmed life of a petted prince in a regal palace. One desire came in time to haunt him day and night; it was to see a real prince, with his own eyes. He spoke of it once to some of his Offal Court comrades; but they jeered him and scoffed him so unmercifully that he was glad to keep his dream to himself after that.

He often read the priest's old books and got him to explain and enlarge upon them. His dreamings and readings worked certain changes in him by and by. His dream-people were so fine that he grew to lament his shabby clothing and his dirt, and to wish to be clean and better clad. He went on playing in the mud just the same, and enjoying it, too; but instead of splashing around in the Thames solely for the fun of it, he began to find an added value in it because of the washings and cleansings it afforded.

Tom could always find something going on (Том мог всегда найти что-нибудь происходящее; to go on — происходить, продолжать) around the Maypole in Cheapside (вокруг майского шеста в Чипсайде), and at the fairs (и на ярмарках); and now and then he and the rest of London (и время от времени: «теперь и тогда» он и остальные лондонцы: «из Лондона») had a chance to see a military parade (имели шанс увидеть военный парад) when some famous unfortunate (когда какой-нибудь известный неудачник) was carried prisoner to the Tower (перевозился, (как) заключенный, в Тауэр; to carry — нести), by land or boat (по земле или в лодке). One summer's day he saw (в один летний день он видел) poor Anne Askew and three men burned at the stake (бедную Анну Эскью и трех человек, сожженных на костре; stake — здесь: столб, к которому привязывали сжигаемого) in Smithfield (в Смитфилде), and heard an ex-bishop preach a sermon (и слышал (как) бывший епископ читал проповедь; to preach — проповедовать) to them (им) which did not interest him (чтó не заинтересовало его). Yes, Tom's life was varied (да, жизнь Тома была разнообразная) and pleasant enough (и довольно приятная), on the whole (в целом).

By and by Tom's reading and dreaming about princely life (тем временем чтение и мечтание Тома о роскошной, царской жизни) wrought such a strong effect upon him (оказала такое сильное воздействие на него; wrought — устаревшее прошедшее время от work) that he began to act the prince, unconsciously (что он начал играть принца, бессознательно). His speech and manners became curiously ceremonious and courtly (его речь и манеры стали странно церемонны и учтивы), to the vast admiration and amusement of his intimates (к широкому = большому восхищению и забаве его закадычных друзей). But Tom's influence (но влияние Тома) among these young people (среди этих молодых людей) began to grow now, day by day (начало расти теперь день ото дня); and in time (и со временем) he came to be looked up to by them with a sort of wondering awe (на него стали смотреть с чем-то вроде удивленного благоговения), as a superior being (как на высшее существо). He seemed to know (он, казалось, знает; to seem — казаться) so much (так много)! and he could do such marvellous things (и он мог делать такие удивительные вещи)! and withal (и к тому же), he was so deep and wise (он был такой глубокий = загадочный и мудрый)! Tom's remarks and Tom's performances (высказывания и поступки Тома; remark — замечание; performance — исполнение) were reported (пересказывались) by the boys to their elders (мальчиками их старшим); and these, also (и эти тоже), presently began to discuss Tom Canty (теперь начали обсуждать Тома Кэнти), and to regard him (и рассматривать его) as a most gifted and extraordinary creature (как самое = в высшей степени одаренное и необыкновенное существо). Full-grown people (взрослые: «полностью выросшие» люди) brought their perplexities (шли со своими трудностями: «приносили свои проблемы») to Tom for solution (к Тому за решением), and were often astonished (и бывали часто поражены) at the wit and wisdom (остроумию и мудрости) of his decisions (его решений). In fact (на самом деле), he became a hero to all who knew him (он стал героем для всех, кто знал его) except his own family (кроме его собственной семьи) — these only saw nothing in him (эти только = только они (не) видели ничего в нем).

Privately (про себя: «частным образом»), after a while (спустя некоторое время), Tom organized a royal court (Том организовал = придумал королевский двор)! He was the prince (он был принцем); his special comrades were guards (его лучшие товарищи были стражниками), chamberlains (камергерами), equerries (конюшими), lords and ladies in waiting (лордами и леди при дворе; waiting — ожидание), and the royal family (и королевской семьей). Daily the mock prince (ежедневно мнимый принц) was received (бывал принят) with elaborate ceremonials (с тщательно разработанным церемониалом) borrowed (заимствованным) by Tom from his romantic readings (Томом из своего романтического чтения); daily the great affairs of the mimic kingdom (ежедневно великие = важные дела притворного = вымышленного королевства) were discussed in the royal council (бывали обсуждаемы в королевском совете), and daily his mimic highness (и ежедневно его мнимое высочество) issued decrees (издавало декреты) to his imaginary armies (своим воображаемым армиям), navies, and viceroyalties (флотам и заморским владениям).

unfortunate [An`fO:tSənət], unconsciously [An`kOnSəslı], creature [`kri:tSə]

Tom could always find something going on around the Maypole in Cheapside, and at the fairs; and now and then he and the rest of London had a chance to see a military parade when some famous unfortunate was carried prisoner to the Tower, by land or boat. One summer's day he saw poor Anne Askew and three men burned at the stake in Smithfield, and heard an ex-bishop preach a sermon to them which did not interest him. Yes, Tom's life was varied and pleasant enough, on the whole.

By and by Tom's reading and dreaming about princely life wrought such a strong effect upon him that he began to act the prince, unconsciously. His speech and manners became curiously ceremonious and courtly, to the vast admiration and amusement of his intimates. But Tom's influence among these young people began to grow now, day by day; and in time he came to be looked up to by them with a sort of wondering awe, as a superior being. He seemed to know so much! and he could do such marvellous things! and withal, he was so deep and wise! Tom's remarks and Tom's performances were reported by the boys to their elders; and these, also, presently began to discuss Tom Canty, and to regard him as a most gifted and extraordinary creature. Full-grown people brought their perplexities to Tom for solution, and were often astonished at the wit and wisdom of his decisions. In fact, he was become a hero to all who knew him except his own family — these only saw nothing in him.

Privately, after a while, Tom organized a royal court! He was the prince; his special comrades were guards, chamberlains, equerries, lords and ladies in waiting, and the royal family. Daily the mock prince was received with elaborate ceremonials borrowed by Tom from his romantic readings; daily the great affairs of the mimic kingdom were discussed in the royal council, and daily his mimic highness issued decrees to his imaginary armies, navies, and viceroyalties.

After which he would go forth in his rags (после чего он шел дальше в своих лохмотьях) and beg a few farthings (и выпрашивал несколько фартингов), eat his poor crust (сухари), take his customary cuffs and abuse (принимал обычные затрещины и брань), and then stretch himself upon (и затем растягивался на) his handful of foul straw (своем клочке грязной соломы), and resume his empty grandeurs (возобновлял свои пустые великолепия) in his dreams (в своих мечтах).

And still his desire to look just once upon a real prince (и все же его желание взглянуть лишь один раз на настоящего принца), in the flesh (во плоти), grew upon him (усиливалось в нем; to grow — расти), day by day (день ото дня), and week by week (и с каждой неделей), until at last it absorbed (пока наконец оно (не) вобрало в себя) all other desires (все прочие желания), and became the one passion of his life (и стало одной-единственной страстью его жизни; to become — становиться).

One January day (в один январский день), on his usual begging tour (на своем обычном нищенском обходе = ходя и прося милостыню), he tramped despondently up and down (он бродил уныло по: «вверх и вниз») the region round about Mincing Lane and Little East Cheap (району около Минсинг-лейн и Литтл-Ист-Чип), hour after hour (один час за другим: «час после часа»), barefooted (босой) and cold (замерзший), looking in at cook-shop windows (заглядывая в окна харчевен) and longing for (и страстно желая) the dreadful pork-pies (страшных пирогов со свининой; pork — свинина) and other deadly inventions (и других смертоносных изделий: «изобретений») displayed there (выставленных там) — for to him these were dainties (ибо для него они были деликатесами) fit for the angels (созданными для ангелов); that is, judging by the smell (то есть, судя по запаху), they were (они были /такими/) — for it had never been his good luck to own and eat one (потому что ему никогда не удавалось попробовать ни один из них: «это никогда не было его удачей обладать одним (из них) и съесть один /из них/). There was a cold drizzle of rain (была холодная морось дождя); the atmosphere was murky (атмосфера была мрачная); it was a melancholy day (это был унылый день). At night Tom reached home so wet (ночью Том добрался домой такой промокший; to reach — достигать) and tired and hungry (и усталый и голодный) that it was not possible for his father and grandmother to observe his forlorn condition and not be moved (что не было возможно его отцу и бабушке видеть его жалкое состояние и не быть тронутыми) — after their fashion (на свой лад); wherefore they gave him a brisk cuffing (с каковой целью они задали ему хорошую взбучку) at once (сразу) and sent him to bed (и послали его в постель). For a long time his pain and hunger (долгое время его боль и голод), and the swearing and fighting (и ругань и побои) going on in the building (происходящие в здании), kept him awake (не позволяли ему заснуть; to keep — хранить; awake — бодрствующий); but at last his thoughts drifted (но наконец его мечты отошли; to drift — дрейфовать) away to far, romantic lands (прочь к далеким, романтическим землям), and he fell asleep (и он заснул; to fall — падать; asleep — спящий) in the company of jeweled and gilded princelings (в компании украшенных каменьями и золотом маленьких принцев; to jewel — украшать драгоценными камнями; to gild — золотить) who lived in vast palaces (которые жили в огромных дворцах), and had servants salaaming before them (и имели слуг, поклоняющихся перед ними: «делающих селям») or flying to execute their orders (или несущихся исполнить их приказы). And then, as usual (и потом, как обычно), he dreamed that he was a princeling himself (он мечтал, что он был принц сам).

All night long the glories of his royal estate (всю ночь великолепие его королевского достоинства) shone upon him (светило на него; to shine — сиять); he moved among great lords and ladies (он двигался среди великих господ и дам), in a blaze of light (в лучах света), breathing perfumes (вдыхая ароматы), drinking (наслаждаясь: «упиваясь») in delicious music (прелестной музыкой), and answering the reverent obeisances (и отвечая на почтительные поклоны) of the glittering throng (сверкающей толпы) as it parted (/по мере того/ как она расступалась: «разделялась») to make way for him (чтобы освободить путь для него), with his smile (с его улыбкой), and there a nod (а кое-где: «там» кивком) of his princely head (его царственной головы).

And when he awoke (а когда он проснулся; to awake — просыпаться) in the morning (утром) and looked upon the wretchedness (и взглянул на убожество) about him (вокруг него), his dream had had its usual effect (его мечта оказала свое обычное действие) — it had intensified the sordidness (она усилила убожество) of his surroundings (его окружения) a thousandfold (в тысячу раз). Then came bitterness (тогда пришла горечь), and heartbreak (и печаль), and tears (и слезы).

grandeur [`grændjə], princeling [`prınslıŋ], perfume [`pəfju:m]

After which he would go forth in his rags and beg a few farthings, eat his poor crust, take his customary cuffs and abuse, and then stretch himself upon his handful of foul straw, and resume his empty grandeurs in his dreams.

And still his desire to look just once upon a real prince, in the flesh, grew upon him, day by day, and week by week, until at last it absorbed all other desires, and became the one passion of his life.

One January day, on his usual begging tour, he tramped despondently up and down the region round about Mincing Lane and Little East Cheap, hour after hour, barefooted and cold, looking in at cook-shop windows and longing for the dreadful pork-pies and other deadly inventions displayed there — for to him these were dainties fit for the angels; that is, judging by the smell, they were — for it had never been his good luck to own and eat one. There was a cold drizzle of rain; the atmosphere was murky; it was a melancholy day. At night Tom reached home so wet and tired and hungry that it was not possible for his father and grandmother to observe his forlorn condition and not be moved — after their fashion; wherefore they gave him a brisk cuffing at once and sent him to bed. For a long time his pain and hunger, and the swearing and fighting going on in the building, kept him awake; but at last his thoughts drifted away to far, romantic lands, and he fell asleep in the company of jeweled and gilded princelings who lived in vast palaces, and had servants salaaming before them or flying to execute their orders. And then, as usual, he dreamed that he was a princeling himself.

All night long the glories of his royal estate shone upon him; he moved among great lords and ladies, in a blaze of light, breathing perfumes, drinking in delicious music, and answering the reverent obeisances of the glittering throng as it parted to make way for him, with here a smile, and there a nod of his princely head.

And when he awoke in the morning and looked upon the wretchedness about him, his dream had had its usual effect — it had intensified the sordidness of his surroundings a thousandfold. Then came bitterness, and heartbreak, and tears.