a while later, the doors of edward's room opened and a servant came in.
'you father, king henrythe eighth, would like to see you,' the servant said.
tom followed the servant through the palace and important men, servants, and doctors walked with him.
at last, tom arrived in a beautiful room, with the group of servants and lords. in front of him, a large and vey fat man was sitting on a bed. his hair was grey, and his clothes, which looked expensive, were beautiful but old. 'are you well, my son?' the man asked softly. tom fell to the floor
'please don't hurt me , great king,' cried tom. i am a poor boy. but i do not want to die.
come to me king henry said. you are not well. the king took tom's face between his hands and looked lovingly into it. do not be afraid,' he said don't you know your father? then he spoke to tom in french.
'i do not know this language,sir,' said tom.
henry fell back onto the bed. then itis true,' he cried. my son is mad
he held poor tom's head in his arms. then he sat up and looked at the people around him. his eyes hard.
my son is mad but he will be better soon,' the king said. if anyone in the palace speaks of this,they willgo to the tower of london. my son will be the next king