64 Sandford and Merton.

Nash said, ‘Do you think I shall stand this from such a
low bred wretch as you are? Is it for you to think and
feel for me?” And then he struck him on the face.

But the man took Nash by the neck, laid him at full
leneth on the ground, set his foot on him and said : “Since
you do not know how to sit still at a play, I will teach you
to lie still; I could not have thought that a set of high
born boys as you are would come to a place like this, and
act a part so coarse and rude as yours has been this night.
I am sure there is not a lad at my plough who would not
have shown more sense.”

With these words he let Nash rise from the ground where
he lay, and he crept from the spot with looks more meek
and mild than those he had brought there; and from that
time all the boys sat out the play as still as mice.

The next day, when the guests all sat down to dine at
Mr. Merton’s house, those who did not go to the play said
to the boys that they should like to hear what they thought
of the piece.

“Why, sir,” said Hal, “Iam no judge of such things,
for this is the first play 1 have seen; but, as far as the plot
goes, it struck me that pride, spite, snares, and vain show
made up the sum of it, and men came on and off the stage
to tell lies and cheat.”

At night the young folk sat down to cards; but Hal did
not join them, as he did not know the game. Hal’s friend,
Maude de Vere, told him she would teach him. Yet Hal
said, “No”; for he had spent all his cash, and so could
not pay the stake as the rest did.

Maude then said she would lend him some if he would

lay.
‘ Thus was Hal led on to sit down to cards with the rest.