'
Under this rebuke, his grace the Duke of Somerset retired a
little from the front for the moment. The king turned to Tom, and
said, kindly:
'My poor boy, how was it that you could remember where I hid the
Seal when I could not remember it myself?'
'Ah, my king, that was easy, since I used it divers days.'
'Used it- yet could not explain where it was?'
'I did not know it was that they wanted. They did not describe it,
your majesty.'
'Then how used you it?'
The red blood began to steal up into Tom's cheeks, and he
dropped his eyes and was silent.
'Speak up, good lad, and fear nothing,' said the king. 'How used
you the Great Seal of England?'
Tom stammered a moment, in a pathetic confusion, then got it out:
'To crack nuts with!'
Poor child, the avalanche of laughter that greeted this, nearly
swept him off his feet. But if a doubt remained in any mind that Tom
Canty was not the king of England and familiar with the august
appurtenances of royalty, this reply disposed of it utterly.
Meantime the sumptuous robe of state had been removed from Tom's
shoulders to the king's, whose rags were effectively hidden from sight
under it. Then the coronation ceremonies were resumed; the true king
was anointed and the crown set upon his head, whilst cannon
thundered the news to the city, and all London seemed to rock with
applause.
CHAPTER XXXIII
Edward as King
MILES HENDON was picturesque enough before he got into the riot on
London Bridge- he was more so when he got out of it.
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