The Prince and the Pauper - Chapter VI - Mark Twain

The Prince and the Pauper

Chapter VI - Mark Twain

Tom was conducted to the principal apartment of a noble suite, and made to sit down—a thing which he was loth to do, since there were elderly men and men of high degree about him.  He begged them to be seated also, but they only bowed their thanks or murmured them, and remained standing. He would have insisted, but his 'uncle' the Earl of Hertford whispered in his ear—
"Prithee, insist not, my lord; it is not meet that they sit in thy presence.”