4 Tom’s Adventures with Edward Gone

CHAPTER 4 Tom's Adventures with Edward Gone Left alone in the prince's room, Tom Canty found plenty to amuse him. He spent a long time looking at himself in the mirror. He turned first left and then right. He walked away, imitating the prince's walk. He looked behind him while he walked so he could see himself in the mirror. Tom pretended the room was filled with dukes and earls. He spoke to each of them about

very important matters. When the imaginary dukes bowed before him, he told them to rise and waved his hand. Tom did his best to copy the prince's wave. Eventually Tom realized that the prince had been gone for a long time. He was losing interest in picking things up and looking at them. He was also starting to feel very uncomfortable. What if someone came in and caught him in the prince's clothes? What was the punishment for imitating a prince? Tom tiptoed to the door and opened it quietly. He peered out into the hallway. Six servants sitting in chairs sprang to their feet. "What can we do for you, Sir?" one of them asked. Tom quickly stepped back into the room and shut the door. They're making fun of me, he thought to himself. They'll be rushing to get the guards right now. He paced up and down the room.

Just then the door opened and one of the servants announced, "Lady Jane Grey." A young girl in a beautiful dress bounded into the room. She rushed toward Tom, but stopped in her tracks when she saw the look on his face. "My Lord," Lady Jane asked, "are you feeling all right?" It was difficult for Tom to speak. He struggled to get the words out. "Oh, please, you must help me. I am no lord. I am not a prince. My name is Tom Canty, and I am here by mistake. The prince and I switched clothes. It was only supposed to be for a few minutes, but I don't know where he went. He should have been back a long time ago." By this time, Tom was on his knees before Lady Jane. He clasped his hands and begged her to believe him. Lady Jane cried out. "My Lord—on your knees? Sir, this is not acceptable." She turned

from Tom and ran out of the room. Tom was in despair. He sank to the floor in tears. "There is no hope. I will go to jail for sure, now." Meanwhile, the rest of the palace was starting to panic. The word was quickly spreading that the prince had gone mad. He believed he was someone else and did not know Lady Jane. How could he not recognize a girl he had known all his life? Her father was a close friend of the king and the children spent a great deal of time together. The king had been ill for some time and was resting in his room. When the whispers about the prince's madness reached him, he sent for his son. Poor Tom was led from the prince's room. He walked down several long hallways surrounded by doctors, servants, and members of the court. He was terrified. He had no idea what to expect. Surely the king

would recognize him as a fake right away. Soon Tom was standing in a warm and beautiful room. A large, round man with a beard was lying on a couch near the fireplace. He was a stern-looking man. A great many people were frightened of him, but his voice was gentle when he spoke to the boy. "How are you, my son?" King Henry asked. "You gave Lady Jane quite a fright." "Y-You are the king?" Tom stuttered. "Then this must be my end." The boy shook his head. "Ah, Edward," the king sighed. "My boy. I hoped the stories were not true, but I can see that you are deeply troubled. Come closer to me, my son." Henry gently took the boy's face in his hands. "Do you not recognize your own dear father?" The king looked at him closely. "It breaks my heart that you might not know me." "I assume that you are my king," Tom

answered. The king could feel the boy tremble. "Please do not be afraid. There is no one here who will hurt you." "P-please, Sir, you must believe me. I speak the truth. I am not Prince Edward. My name is Tom Canty, and I am a beggar from Offal Court. It's a mistake that I am here. I don't know where Prince Edward is right now." Tom began to cry. "I don't want to go to jail! Please, I just want to go home to my family and friends! "Jail?" King Henry asked. "My poor sweet boy. Of course you won't go to jail. Why would you think such a thing? Why would I want to punish you? You are always free to go and do what you want." "Then I am free to go?" Tom asked. He was very excited. "You may leave whenever you'd like. Although I wish you could stay a few