"When he came home empty handed at night, he knew his father would cruse him and thrash him first, and that when he was done the awful grandmother would do it all over again and improve on it; and that away in the night his starving mother would slip to him stealthily with any miserable scrap or crust she had been able to save for him by going hungry herself, notwithstanding she was often caught in that sort of treason and soundly beaten for it by her husband" (Chapter 2, "Tom's Early Life," pg. 12.)

"Tom's breath came quick and short with excitement, and his eyes grew big with wonder and delight. Every thing gave way in his mind instantly to one desire: that was to get close to the prince, and have a good, devouring look at him" (Chapter 3, "Tom's Meeting with the Prince," pg. 17.)

"As night drew to...