'
''Tis strange how my memory doth wanton with me these days,'
said Tom. 'But mind it not- I mend apace- a little clue doth often
serve to bring me back again the things and names which had escaped
me. (And not they, only, forsooth, but e'en such as I ne'er heard
before- as this lad shall see.) Give thy business speech.'
''Tis matter of small weight, my liege, yet will I touch upon
it, an it please your grace. Two days gone by, when your majesty
faulted thrice in your Greek- in the morning lessons- dost remember
it?'
'Ye-e-s- methinks I do. (It is not much of a lie- an I had meddled
with the Greek at all, I had not faulted simply thrice, but forty
times). Yes, I do recall it now- go on.'
-'The master, being wroth with what he termed such slovenly and
doltish work, did promise that he would soundly whip me for it- and-'
'Whip thee!' said Tom, astonished out of his presence of mind.
'Why should he whip thee for faults of mine?'
'Ah, your grace forgetteth again. He always scourgeth me, when
thou dost fail in thy lessons.'
'True, true- I had forgot. Thou teachest me in private- then if
I fail, he argueth that thy office was lamely done, and-'
'Oh, my liege, what words are these? I, the humblest of thy
servants, presume to teach thee!'
'Then where is thy blame? What riddle is this? Am I in truth
gone mad, or is it thou? Explain- speak out.'
'But, good your majesty, there's naught that needeth
simplifying. None may visit the sacred person of the Prince of Wales
with blows; wherefore when he faulteth, 'tis I that take them; and
meet it is and right, for that it is mine office and my
livelihood.
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