Late in the forenoon he was in a large audience chamber, conversing with the Earl of Hertford and duly awaiting the striking of the hour appointed for a visit of ceremony from a considerable number of great officials and courtiers.
After a little while Tom, who had wandered to a window and become interested in the life and movement of the great highway beyond the palace gates-and not idly interested, but longing with all his heart to take part in person in its stir and freedom-saw the van of a hooting and shouting mob of disorderly men, women, and children of the lowest and poorest degree approaching from up the road.
"I would I knew what "tis about!" he exclaimed, with all a boy's curiosity in such happenings.
"Thou art the king!" solemnly responded the earl, with a reverence. "Have I your grace's leave to act?"
"Oh, blithely, yes! Oh, gladly, yes!" exclaimed Tom, excitedly, adding to himself with a lively sense of satisfaction, "In truth, being a king is not all dreariness-it hath its compensations and conveniences."
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