"It is my uncle's," replied Master Francis. "Prythee tell me his name, if he hath one." "Gregory Vellum."

"His calling?" enquired the boy, still keeping his teeth employed. "'Tis that of a scrivener. But get you gone quickly, or you shall repent this intrusion, I promise you."

"Rather desperate-do to play Richard the Third," said the boy. "Who are you, and what seek you here?" enquired Master Francis impatiently-" I have quite enough to plague me without your assistance."

"Rather melancholy-do to play Hamlet," said the other, stripping the bone perfectly clean, and making the bread disappear rapidly.

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Nay, if you do not satisfy me for this impertinence, and speedily, I will have it out of your flesh," exclaimed the youth angrily.

"Rather bloody-minded-do to play Shylock," answered the boy in the same quiet tone he had used from the commencement.

"I'faith but this is unbearable!" cried Master Francis, as he jumped off the stool with a thick stick in his hand belonging to his uncle that lay upon the desk, and ran to his visitor as if with a design to give him a drubbing. "Now tell me, you worthless varlet, what want you here, or your bones shall ache for it," said he, holding the stick threateningly over him.

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6

Why, I am Gib, the call-boy," replied the boy, finishing his last mouthful, and eying the uplifted weapon with some small astonishment, "I hold the honourable office of call-boy to the Globe, on the Bankside, and earn me the handsome sum of a whole shilling aweek-and find myself out on't: but such a one for the business, the players are not like to find more than once in an age, I take it—and of this they are in no way ignorant-for Master Burbage hath said that my calling' did credit to me, and I did credit to my callingand, as I remember me, Master Green said he could swear I was born with a caul, I was so apt at it. In fact, there be none like me. It was but the other day I paid a visit to the Rose to see their call-boy. Such a miserable caitiff! the varlet's got no mouth! unless an insignificant bit of a button-hole in his face, scarce big enough to admit a peascod, be called such—the natural consequence of which is, that he hath not voice enough to frighten a cricket. Now have I something like a mouth"

"Something like half a dozen made into one!" said Master Francis, seeing that the boy extended his jaws to a compass beyond conception.

"And when I call," continued he, "my voice may be heard on t'other side of the river-by those who hear well enough. If it be your desire, I will favour you with a specimen of my talents."

“I thank you—but I would much rather that you would favour me with your business," replied the youth, who was too much amused to put his recent threats into execution.

"But besides being call-boy," added the other, unheeding what had just been said, "I am oft times required to act parts-very important parts too, I promise you."

"Indeed!" cried Master Francis, regarding with a smile the droll looking object at his feet. "In what part could they possibly trust you upon the stage?"

"I play the cock in Hamlet," replied the boy very gravely-at which his companion laughed heartily-" and so much to the very life, that Master Taylor saith he shall be content to pick a crow with me every time he playeth the Prince of Denmark. And Master Fletcher saith that that piece can never go off as it ought to do unless I have the cock-ing of it. Besides which I come on as one of Falstaff's regiment—make a very excellent courtier in the back ground -play one of the ghosts in Richard the Third's dream—and at all times make one of the army, of which there are at least some score of us, scene-shifters included. In fact, I should think myself greatly to be envied, were it not for one thing."

"Of what can you complain ?" asked Master Francis.

"I am obliged to eat my meals where I can," replied the boy; "sometimes in Juliet's tomb-sometimes in Desdemona's bedsometimes in Richard the Third's tent-one day near the forum at Rome-another close upon the Tower of London-nay, even this very day have I been forced to munch my dinner as I came along, because I was sent to you in a hurry with a letter from Master Shakspeare."

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"A letter from Master Shakspeare to me!" cried Master Francis impatiently. "Why gave you not it to me before?"

"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 made 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 be-try 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. "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 aweek 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. a genteel part of the profession, according to my thinking. Master Condell did tell me he thought I could play Ophelia ravishingly."

It's

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

"For my own part, being of an exquisite melancholy humour, I doubt not I should shine in tragedy," continued the call-boy, taking a look at 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 itexpect not to get so handsome a wage as a whole shilling a-week, and

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find yourself out on't." And thereat he strutted out of the door, with such a villanous squint that it would have tickled the fancy of one at the point of death.

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.

"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.

"and

"Then take it to Master Ephraim Venture, the merchant in Thames Street, nigh unto Castle Baynard," said the old man ; 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 direction to which his inclination most tended. On he proceeded in his way, taking no heed of the sober citizens speeding on their business, or even of their daughters, proud of a new kirtle or a dainty coif, shewing off their pretty coquetries to the gallants that came strolling along in their best braveries, mayhap carelessly humming a tune, or whispering a well-devised compliment as they passed, at the which none were very hugely offended I warrant you, for their brilliant eyes sparkled the more; and some smiled with exceeding pleasantness, and a few did take sly peeps over their shoulder to notice if they were followed; but giving himself up to the inconstant humour of his thoughtsnow hoping, now despairing-now filled with the passion of lovenow moved with the conceit of jealousy, he regarded nothing around him till he entered into Eastcheap. Then he was stirred up into a very proper consciousness of where he was-his heart began to beat most disturbedly-the paleness of his cheek made way for a flush of crimson, and his eye had gained a lustrousness that gave unto his gentle countenance a truly eloquent expression.

Passing by shops of divers kinds, and even taking no heed of the barber chirurgeon's over the way, where his true friend, Harry

Daring, was apprenticed, he at last made for one that was a mercer's, where the owner, a somewhat lusty old man with a lively roguish look, and an excellent jolly face, stood recommending to a customer sundry ells of three-piled velvet that lay before him, whom, seeing engaged, he stopped not to gossip with, but went on, as if it was his wont, to a little room at the back, where finding no one, he opened a door, and proceeded up a little flight of stairs close upon it, at the top of which there was another door, whereat, with his heart in a greater flutter than ever, he did knock gently with his knuckles; and hearing a voice, the soft tones of which he recognised with a most infinite delight, he uncovered and entered the room.

The chamber was rather low, and of a no great size, having a wainscot and floor of oak, with rafters very solid, running across the ceiling, and a window stretching out into the street. The furniture was substantial rather than elegant-such as might be seen in the houses of the better sort of citizens-yet was there a considerable shew of taste in many things, which spoke as plain as could any words, that a woman's graceful hand had had the ordering of them. There was no one therein but Joanna, who sat, or rather reclined, in an ample chair with arms, supporting her head by her hand, she wore an elegant dress of watchet colour, laced down the front, with a girdle of silver baudekin, at the which was a little pocket on one side. Her silken hair was artfully disposed, falling in a love lock on her delicate shoulder, and bound at the top in a network caul of gold. Her well shaped feet, were cased in a pair of dainty white stockings and velvet slippers, projecting out of her petticoat, with the heel of one resting upon the instep of the other, to the manifest disclosure of a most exquisite ancle. In this position, the well-defined outline of the ripened beauties of her figure were seen to great advantage, especially as the low, tight boddice then in the fashion, did excellently well display the full bust, and truly admirable neck and shoulder, the delicateness whereof have I not the cunning to describe, therefore will I leave it to the imagination of the courteous reader. She had evidently been a thinking; but whether pleasurable or otherwise, I have no means of knowing except this be taken as a sign, that when Master Francis first beheld her at that time, there was a severity in the loveliness of her countenance, tempered with a very touching melancholy.

"Joanna !" exclaimed the youth, hastening delightedly to her side, "I am here at thy desire, and truly to mine own most infinite gratification. But what aileth thee?" he enquired suddenly, in a tone of affectionate interest, as he noticed that the pleasureableness expressed in his own features was not reflected in hers. At the question, she looked at him as with a careful scrutiny of his pale and thoughtful brow, but said never a word.

"Have I angered thee?" he asked, in a more subdued voice; and his gaze became as melancholy as her own. "Believe me I meant it not. In truth, I would rather die than anger thee."

"No!" replied she to his question, with impressive tones and eloquent emphasis. "Thou hast not angered me." And then the se