Chapter 12 A Time of Sharing.
Edward opened his eyes the next morning to see two children staring at him.
A boy and a girl stood watching him in silence.
Edward stared right back at them.
Who are you? the girl asked.
I'm a future king, Edward said.
The future king? the boy asked.
King of what?
The king of England, Edward replied.
The children looked at each other in amazement.
Can he be telling the truth, the girl whispered.
Well, the boy said thoughtfully, I've never seen the future king, so I can't say that he isn't.
If you're truly the future king, he added, then we'll believe you.
I truly am, Edward replied.
He smiled.
At long last, someone believed him.
Then you should come inside, the girl said.
Our mother is just making breakfast.
You can join us.
Edward followed the children into the house.
Their mother welcomed him warmly.
She noticed the state of his clothes and the dirt on his face.
Her children told her that he was the future king of England.
She watched him sit at her table and eat a bowl of oatmeal.
He certainly was proper and polite.
She felt pity for this poor boy.
We're happy to have you here, Your Majesty, she said.
It's an honor to have you at our table.
Edward finished his breakfast.
He sat back in his chair, full and satisfied.
The woman and her children were getting ready to go out to work.
As she walked out the door, she asked Edward to clean up the breakfast dishes.
What? he thought.
The future king of England washing dishes.
He almost protested, but then he thought again.
I should repay her kindness with a bit of kindness.
It's the least I can do.
He did not do a very good job.
He was surprised at how hard it was to clean the wooden spoons and bowls.
It took him a very long time.
It was far from a perfect job, but Edward was proud of himself.
He had learned to do something completely new.
Edward continued to help the widow throughout the morning.
He peeled some apples, very poorly, and swept the floor, just as poorly.
Just before noon, the widow sent him out to the barn with her son to help feed the cows.
Edward did as she asked.
He followed the younger boy's instructions and poured grain into the trough for the cows.
He was not used to this difficult work.
The boy noticed that Edward was struggling with the bag of grain.
Can I get you a cup of water? he asked.
You look very thirsty.
Yes, please, Edward said.
That is very kind of you.
The younger boy ran back to the house while Edward continued his work.
Suddenly Edward heard a familiar voice behind him and dropped the bag of grain.
"'Have you given up your princely ways?'
Mr. Candy asked.
Edward turned around slowly.
Mr. Canty stood with his hands on his hips.
He smiled meanly at Edward.
The boy thought about running, but he was trapped.
He knew he had no hope of escape.
Hugo approached the barn door.
He was surprised to see Edward inside.
He and Mr. Canty had stumbled upon the barn when they were looking for shelter.
They certainly hadn't expected to find the boy there.
Without a word, Mr. Canty grabbed Edward's arm while Hugo put a hand over the boy's mouth.
They moved so quickly and quietly that no one in the house heard a thing.
