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����'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.��������