296 MASTER SKYLARK

“Why, good enough, good enough! The woman who
mothered a lad like Master Skylark here is surely fit to
rear the little maid.”

The London players thumped the table. “Why, ’t is
the very trick,” said Hemynge. “Marry, this is better
than a play.”

“Tt is indeed,” quoth Condell. “See the plot come
out!”

“Thou ‘lt do it, Attwood—why, of course thou ’lt do it,”
said Master Shakspere. “’T is an excellent good plan.
These funds we hold in trust will keep thee easy-minded,
and warrant thee in doing well by both our little folks.
And what ’s more,” he cried, for the thought had just
come in his head, “TI have ever heard thee called an honest
man; hard, indeed, perhaps too hard, but honest as the
day is long. Now I need a tenant for this New Place of
mine—some married man with a good housewife, and
children to be delving in the posy-beds outside. What
sayst thou, Simon Attwood? They tell me thy ’prentice,
Job Hortop, is to marry in July—he ‘ll take thine old
house at a fair rental. Why, here, Neighbor Attwood,
thou toil-worn, time-damaged tanner, bless thy hard old
heart, man, come, be at ease—thou hast ground thy soul
out long enough! Come, take me at mine offer—be my
fellow. The rent shall trickle off thy finger-tips as easily
as water off a duck’s back!”

Simon Attwood arose from the chair where he had been
sitting. There was a bewildered look upon his face, and
he was twisting his horny fingers together until the