Jaques, who had always been taught fearlessly to speak the truth, said at once, “I begged the old lady’s pardon,” half doubting what would happen. To his great surprise the policeman turned round sharp on the old lady, and asked, “Did this boy beg your pardon?”
“Yes,” said she.
“Then, madam, with peelings of the deepest fain, it is my duty to inform you that you must at once be led to the court.”
“The court!” screamed the old lady; “it has been my ambition for fifty years to be courted, and now it has come at last.”
“It has, madam; you are now about to be presented at court by the aid of the police. Will your Majesty deign to proceed?”
XPLAINING.
“Majesty!” said she; “I can’t understand it.”
“Let me endeavour to make it plain,” said the constable, with a wave of his hand like a professor lecturing. “Will your gracious Majesty deign to inform me whether I am correct in saying that this boy begged your pardon?”
“Yes.”
“And would your Highness further permit me to inquire whether it is or is not a fact that begging is contrary to law?”