The Prince and The Pauper, Part 4. - Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
"Now am I persuaded that if your Majesty will but tax your memory yet a
little further, it will resolve the puzzle of the Great Seal--a loss
which was of moment yesterday, although of none to-day, since its term of
service ended with our late lord's life. May it please your Grace to make
the trial?"
Tom was at sea--a Great Seal was something which he was totally
unacquainted with. After a moment's hesitation he looked up innocently
and asked--
"What was it like, my lord?"
The Earl started, almost imperceptibly, muttering to himself, "Alack, his
wits are flown again!--it was ill wisdom to lead him on to strain them"
--then he deftly turned the talk to other matters, with the purpose of
sweeping the unlucky seal out of Tom's thoughts--a purpose which easily
succeeded.