"Because you chose not to ask for it," said the other very quietly. "I was told to be sure and give it to the right person, so I thought I'd make proper enquiries."

"Well, give it me-make haste! make haste!” exclaimed the youth.

"It's like enough to be about offering to take you into the company," observed the boy, as he pulled off his cap leisurely, and gave the letter out of it, making a notable mark on each side with his greasy thumb and finger. "But my advice betry what you can do in the female line. You be just the age and figure for it; and we want a new woman marvellously. Our Juliet's obliged to shave twice a day, and our Lady Macbeth, getting to be a man, hath threatened to throw up her engagement because they won't allow her to let her beard grow. I can put you up to a good deal about making your points, and dying gracefully, and walking in woman's fashion-for I've seen it done scores of times, I promise you-so don't lose heart on that account."

As Master Francis began reading the note, the call-boy got upon his legs, shook the crumbs from his jerkin, and sidled up to him.

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I pray you tell me what terms offer they?" asked he, trying to look over at the note, which he could not very well reach to do.

"No terms at all," replied the other, in too good humour to be offended at the freedom his companion was taking.

"Ah, you see it be not every one that can get a whole shilling a-week and find himself out on't," observed the boy with an air of much importance. "But talent will always get its price."

"I am glad to find that yours is so well appreciated," remarked Master Francis laughingly. "However, not to balk your inquisitiveness, which is somewhat of the greatest I must confess, this note is only to make an appointment at the playhouse to meet Master Shakspeare.”

"Doubtless you will then be engaged," said the call-boy." If you find any difficulty in getting admittance--for Will Peppercorn, who keeps the door, is not so social to strangers as am I—just ask you for Gib the call-boy, though some do call me Stentor, because, as I have heard, he was a famous call-boy in ancient times; and say you are a friend of mine, you will find your entrances and your exits as easy as throwing at cocks at Shrovetide."

"I thank you, Gib," replied Master Francis, scarcely able to keep a serious countenance, for the look of the boy was so comical, with his queer eyes and enormous mouth, and important swagger, that he had a great ado to refrain from laughing in his face.

“This seemeth a snuggish place-how much may you get a week here?" enquired the boy very earnestly, after a careful scrutiny of the office.

"That question I do not think it necessary to answer," responded the other as gravely as he could.

"Well-those that have gifts should make the best use of them," drily observed Gib. "But don't despair—who knows but that you may be a call-boy some of these days-only I'm afraid you hav'n't got the very properest sort of mouth."

"That I regret not, believe me," responded Master Francis with a smile. "And now I should earnestly advise you to make the best of your way back to Master Shakspeare, and tell him I will not fail of the appointment."

"Ha!" replied Gib, turning on his heel and slowly proceeding to the door, tossing up the bone, with which he had not yet parted. "Now, remember

you my advice-do the women, and you cannot fail of getting on; and if you want to know how to look modest and like a dainty young gentlewoman, come you to me, I can instruct you in all that sort of thing, for I've got a monstrous deal of experience that way. Indeed, Master Burbage did say that I should get advanced into the woman's parts when I was old enough, and methinks it is high time I should attempt something of the kind. It's a genteel

part of the profession, according to my thinking. Master Condell did tell me he thought I could play Ophelia ravishingly.”

"Indeed!" exclaimed his companion, unable to refrain from laughing at the idea.

"For mine own part, being of an exquisite melancholy humour, I doubt not I should shine in tragedy," continued the call-boy, taking a look a Master Francis so solemnly ludicrous that it instantly did set him into a roar. "Rather humourous!" cried the boy as he opened the door, "do to play the fool:" and thereupon his mouth did spread out into a grin so far beyond all human conceit, that the other laughed till the tears ran out of his eyes. Well," continued Gib, "though I wish you a bountiful share of good luck, in honest truth I say it- expect not to get so handsome a wage as a whole shilling a-week, and find yourself out on't.” And thereat he strutted out of the door, with such a villainous squint that it would have tickled the fancy of one at the point of death.

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Master Francis, much amused at the oddity of the boy and his exceeding assurance, returned to his seat in monstrous good humour, to finish his account; but he had scarcely taken pen in hand, when, on hearing a noise, he turned round, and lo! there was Gib's bandy legs again marching in.

"Stick to the women, I pray you, and you shall

find your advantage in it," exclaimed he, with a very earnest seriousness, and immediately disappeared.

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Away with you!" cried Master Francis, scarcely knowing whether to laugh or to be angry. Then he applied himself to his task, and did finish it without further interruption. Presently his uncle was heard stumping along the passage with his stick, and in a few seconds he entered, looking very crabbed and savage.

"Hast done that account?" enquired he sharply. "Yes, uncle," replied the youth.

"Then take it to Master Ephraim Venture, the merchant in Thames Street, nigh unto Castle Baynard," said the old man; "and be sure to press for payment for it be said that he hath had losses, therefore must he be looked after. 'Sblood, an' he do not pay quickly I'll make him smart for't! Tell him I must and will have my money."

"I will, uncle,” responded the nephew, preparing with evident alacrity to start on his errand.

"And mind that thou tarry not," added he, "for I have business for thee at home."

"I will use all convenient speed,” replied Master Francis, and in a minute after he was making the best of his way out of St. Mary Axe, right glad to get from the house, and as well pleased that the merchant's in Thames Street lay in the very di