英语有声儿童童话故事 皇帝的新装 第4章

“We shall be much obliged toyou,” said the impostors, and then they named the different colors anddescribed the pattern of the pretended stuff. The old minister listenedattentively to their words, in order that he might repeat them to the Emperor;and then the knaves asked for more silk and gold, saying that it was necessaryto complete what they had begun. However, they put all that was given them intotheir knapsacks; and continued to work with as much apparent diligence asbefore at their empty looms.

The Emperor now sent anotherofficer of his court to see how the men were getting on, and to ascertainwhether the cloth would soon be ready. It was just the same with this gentlemanas with the minister; he surveyed the looms on all sides, but could see nothingat all but the empty frames.

“Does not the stuff appear asbeautiful to you, as it did to my lord the minister?” asked the impostors ofthe Emperor’s second ambassador; at the same time making the same gestures asbefore, and talking of the design and colors which were not there.