英语简易读物阅读教程

　　'I want to see the prince，' he cried.　　One of the soldiers hit Tom. 'Get back！' he shouted.　　Tom fell， and the crowd laughed.　　But the prince saw and was very angry. He came to the gates on the inside.　　'Why did you hit that poor boy?' he shouted at the soldier. 'Open the gates. Bring him in.'　　'But， sir…' said the soldier. 'He is only a dirty beggar.'　　'The king， my father， is king of rich people and poor people，' answered Prince Edward.'Bring in the boy.'　　The soldier opened the gates and Tom went in. The prince took Tom inside the palace，up some great stairs， through many fine rooms and into one of the prince's rooms.　　'Are you hungry?' he asked Tom on the way.　　'I am always hungry， sir.' answered Tom.　　When they arrived at the prince's rooms， Edward called a servant to the room.　　'Bring food，' he ordered. 'Meat， cake， fruit and bread.'　　When the food arrived， Tom's eyes were as big as the plates. He opened his mouth but no words came out. Edward sent the servants away and Tom ate.　　'Now， who are you?' asked the prince. 'I see you at the palace gates every day. I watch you from the window.'　　'My name is Tom Canty， sir. I live with my family in a room near London Bridge.'　　'In a room? Do you all live in one room?'　　'Yes-my mother， my father， my grandmother and my two sisters. Our room is in Cheap Street. It is quite big and it is very cheap.'　　'Why do you all live in one room?'　　'Because we are very poor，' said Tom. 'My father doesn't work. I have to beg for money. When I don't bring any money home， he hits me.'　　'Your father hits you！ I will send my soldiers to your house. They will throw him in prison.'　　'No， no， please， sir！' said Tom. 'Think of my mother and sisters.'　　'Mm. Perhaps you are right，' said the young prince. 'I have two sisters-Lady Elizabeth and Lady Mary. Lady Elizabeth is very clever and kind， but I don't like Lady Mary. She never smiles or laughs. And she never plays with me. And then there is Lady Jane-my uncle's daughter. She is the same age as me and I like her very much. But I don't know any boys. Do you play with other boys?'　　'Yes， of course. We play by the river and we swim. Sometimes we play princes and　　soldiers. I am always the prince ！ '　　Edward looked out of the window. His face was sad.　　'I would like to be a poor boy. I would like to play with other boys.'　　He was quiet for a minute. Tom ate a chicken leg.　　'I have an idea，' said Edward suddenly. He jumped out of his chair. 'Let's change clothes. You can be the prince and I'll be the pauper.'　　So Edward put on Tom's old， thin trousers and shirt.　　'I'll wash my face and hands first，' said Tom.　　After he washed， Tom's clean face was the same as Edward's.　　They had the same eyes， the same nose， the same hair. Tom put on Edward's fine clothes and shoes.　　Edward looked at Tom. Tom looked at Edward. Now Edward was Tom and Tom was Edward.　　'Wait here！' said the prince. 'I am going to be a pauper for an hour. I am going to swim in the river.' He took something round and heavy from the table and quickly put it under a large cup on the highest shelf. Then he ran out of the room.　　'What will I do?' shouted Tom. But there was no answer.　　……