"Fathers be alike, mayhap. Mine hath not a doll's temper. He smiteth
with a heavy hand, yet spareth me: he spareth me not always with his
tongue, though, sooth to say. How doth thy mother use thee?"

"She is good, sir, and giveth me neither sorrow nor pain of any sort.
And Nan and Bet are like to her in this."

"How old be these?"

"Fifteen, an' it please you, sir."

"The Lady Elizabeth, my sister, is fourteen, and the Lady Jane Grey, my
cousin, is of mine own age, and comely and gracious withal; but my sister
the Lady Mary, with her gloomy mien and--Look you: do thy sisters forbid
their servants to smile, lest the sin destroy their souls?"

"They? Oh, dost think, sir, that THEY have servants?"

The little prince contemplated the little pauper gravely a moment, then
said--

"And prithee, why not? Who helpeth them undress at night? Who attireth
them when they rise?"

"None, sir. Would'st have them take off their garment, and sleep
without--like the beasts?"

"Their garment! Have they but one?"