THE ADMIRAL’S COMPANY 49

the master-player’s face was frank and quite unmoved, so
that Nick felt reassured.

“Why, sirs,” said Carew, as some began to laugh and to
speak to one another covertly, “it is no jest. He hath a
sweeter voice than Cyril Davy’s, the best woman’s-voice in
all London town. Upon my word, it is the sweetest voice
a body ever heard—outside of heaven and the holy
angels!” He lowered his tone and bowed his head a
little. “I?ll stake mine honour on it!”

“Hast any, Gaston?” called a jeering voice, whereat the
whole room roared.

But Carew cried again in a high voice that would be
heard above the noise: “Now, hark ’e; what I say is so.
It is, upon my word, and on the remnant of mine honour!
And to-morrow ye shall see, for Master Skylark is to sing
and play with us.”

When he had said that, nothing would do but Nick must
sit down and eat with them; so they made a place for him
and for Master Carew.

Nick bent his head and said a grace, at which some of
them laughed, until Carew shook his head with a stern
frown ; and before he ate he bowed politely to them all, as
his mother had taught him to do. They all bowed mock-
ingly, and hilariously offered him wine, which, when he
refused, they pressed upon him, until Carew stopped them,
saying that he would have no more of that. As he spoke
he clapped his hand upon his poniard and scowled biackly.
‘Chey all laughed, but offered Nick no more wine; instead,

they picked him choice morsels, and made a great deal of
4