Set thy mind at ease--thy back shall go unscathed--I will see to it." "Oh, thanks, my good lord!" cried the boy, dropping upon his knee again.
"Mayhap I have ventured far enow; and yet--" Seeing Master Humphrey hesitate, Tom encouraged him to go on, saying he was "in the granting mood." "Then will I speak it out, for it lieth near my heart.

Sith thou art no more Prince of Wales but King, thou canst order matters as thou wilt, with none to say thee nay; wherefore it is not in reason that thou wilt longer vex thyself with dreary studies, but wilt burn thy books and turn thy mind to things less irksome.

Then am I ruined, and mine orphan sisters with me!" "Ruined?
Prithee how ?" "My back is my bread, O my gracious liege! if it go idle, I starve.

An' thou cease from study mine office is gone thou'lt need no whipping-boy.
Do not turn me away!" Tom was touched with this pathetic distress.

He said, with a right royal burst of generosity-- "Discomfort thyself no further, lad.