“WELL SUNG, MASTER SKYLARK!” 45

“Po be sure,” said Carew, laughing, “it is a part—and
a part of a very good whole, too—a comedy by young
Tom Heywood, that would make a graven image split its
sides with laughing; and do thou just learn that part,
good Master Skylark, and thou shalt say it in to-morrow’s
play.”

“What, Master Carew!” gasped Nick. “I—truly?
With the Lord Admiral’s players?”

“Why, to be sure!” cried the master-player, in great
glee, clapping him upon the back. “ Didst think I meant
a parcel of dirty tinkers? Nay, lad; thou art just the
very fellow for the part—my lady’s page should be a
pretty lad, and, soul o’ me, thou art that same! And,
Nick, thou shalt sing Tom Heywood’s newest song. It is
a pretty song; it is a lark-song like thine own.”

Nick could hardly believe his ears. To act with the
Lord Admiral’s company! To sing with them before ail
Coventry! It passed the wildest dream that he had ever
dreamed. What would the boys in Stratford say? Aha!
they would laugh on the other side of their mouths now!

“But will they have me, sir?” he asked doubtfully.

“Have thee?” said Master Carew, haughtily. “If I
say go, thou shalt go. Iam master here. And I tell thee,
Nick, that thou shalt see the play, and be the play, in part,
and—well, we shall see what we shall see.”

With that he fell to humming and chuckling to himself,
as if he had swallowed a water-mill, while Nick turned.
ecstatic cart-wheels along the grass beside the road. until
presently Coventry came in sight.