The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman

Author:Sid Fleischman [Fleischman, Sid]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

"Where it's always been. Due south!"

"Which way is south?"

Betsy paused to set her arm like a signpost. "Straight on!"

"You certain?"

"Certain I'm certain. Didn't Pa always say I had a head like a compass, rest him in peace!"

And she was gone.

Their clothes were ripped to tatters by late morning when Jemmy and the prince caught sight of the sparkling river. And almost at once they dove back into cover.

Mounted on high-stepping horses, a pair of soldiers were advancing along the river road.

"They must be out searching for you," Jemmy whispered. "If they catch me with you, I'm done for!"

Prince Brat didn't seem to be listening. His eyes were fixed on the passing soldiers.

"Look here," Jemmy muttered impatiently. "I can't have you sticking to me like a barnacle. Ain't you had a snoutful o' running away? Go back with the soldiers!"

The prince shook his head. "Let them pass." And then he added with the faintest of smiles, "This is the first time no one has had fits because I got my clothes grimy. The ladies keep me clean and starched as a pillowcase!"

"But you're a prince!"

"Is my face dirty as yours?"

"You don't belong knockin' about outside the walls!"

Prince Brat gazed off into the distance. "Did you have lots of friends when you lived on the streets?"

"Heaps."

"Heaps—of course."

"And hardly a one of 'em wouldn't fight me over a bone. Go back. Your pa must be having double fits o' worry."

The prince answered with a flash of resentment. "I might as well be stuffed and hung on the wall like a stag's head—for all he notices me."

"You remind him often enough, with all your pranks. How long are you going to let him sweat and stew?"

"I don't know," declared the prince. "Maybe I'll never go back. This is the best time I ever had!"

"Gaw," Jemmy murmured.

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