有声英语儿童童话故事 皇帝的新装 第3章

So the faithful old minister went into the hall,where the knaves were working with all their might, at their empty looms. “Whatcan be the meaning of this?” thought the old man, opening his eyes very wide.“I cannot discover at least bit of thread on the looms.” However, he did notexpress his thoughts aloud.

The impostors requested him very courteously tobe so good as to come nearer their looms; and then asked him whether the designpleased him, and whether the colors were not very beautiful; at the same timepointing to the empty frames. The poor old minister looked and looked, he couldnot discover anything on the looms, for a very good reason, there was nothingthere. “What!” thought he again. “Is it possible that I am a simpleton? I havenever thought so myself; and no one must know it now if I am so. Can it be,that I am unfit for my office? No, that must not be said either. I will neverconfess that I could not see the stuff.”

“Well, Sir Minister!” said one of the knaves, still pretending towork. “You do not say whether the stuff pleases you.”

“Oh, it is excellent!” repliedthe old minister, looking at the loom through his spectacles. “This pattern,and the colors, yes, I will tell the Emperor without delay, how very beautifulI think them.”