a few minutes later edward and john canty were in the cantys is room
there was not much light and it was a small dirty place
two girls and a woman were in a corner of the room
now then canty said to edward say your name your real name or you will be sorry
do not tell me to speak said the little prince and his face was red and angry
i am prince edward
canty laughed but his eyes were cold and hard
the woman ran to edward
my poor boy she cried
you read too many stories about princes
the prince looked into her face and said softly
your son is well and he is not mad good lady
take me to the palace and the king will bring him to you
when he heard this john canty hit edward hard on his back and he fell into Mrs canty is arm
she tried to move herself between the boy and john canty but edward pulled himself away
do not stop him edward told her
or he will hit you too
later that night edward lay on the floor hurting terribly
tom is mother softly touched his hair and cried
my father the king will thank you for this edward told her
when she heard this tom is mother began to cry harder
edward soon fell asleep but tom is mother lay worrying in her bed