CHAPTER XXII
THE SKYLARK’S SONG

ASTER NATHANIEL GYLES, Precentor of St.

Paul’s, had pipe-stem legs, and a face like an old
parchment put in a box to keep. His sandy hair was thin
and straggling, and his fine cloth hose wrinkled around
his shrunken shanks; but his eye was sharp, and he wore
about his neck a broad gold chain that marked him as no
common man.

For Master Nathaniel Gyles was head of the Cathedral
schools of acting and of music, and he stood upon his
dignity.

“My duty is laid down,” said he, “in most specific
terms, sir,—lex cathedralis,—that is to say, by the laws of
the cathedral ; and has been, sir, since the reign of Richard
the Third. Primus Magister Scholarum, Custos Morum,
Quartus Custos Rotulorum,—so the title stands, sir; and I
know my place.”

He pushed Nick into the anteroom, and turned to Carew
with an irritated air.

“I likewise know, sir, what is what. In plain words,

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