human
Young master, he said,
gpt
Why?
human
Cos of Saturn!
gpt
Satan?
human
Saturn,--dead agin his Second and Tenth House, I'll swear. Lord of Ascendant, mayhap; in combustion of the Sun,--who knows?
gpt
You're not an astrologer?
human
Bit of it; no offence.
gpt
What does it signify? said Lionel, impatiently;
human
Ay, that's it; for he warn't like any as we ever see on these boards hereabouts; and yet he warn't exactly like a Lunnon actor, as I have seen 'em in Lunnon, either, but more like a clever fellow who acted for the spree of the thing. He had sich droll jests, and looked so comical, yet not commonlike, but always what I calls a gentleman,--just as if one o' ye two were doing a bit of sport to please your friends. Well, he drew hugely, and so he did, every time he came, so that the great families in the neighbourhood would go to hear him; and he lodged in my house, and had pleasant ways with him, and was what I call a scollard. But still I don't want to deceive ye, and I should judge him to have been a wild dog in his day. Mercury ill-aspected,--not a doubt of it. Last year it so happened that one of the great gents who belong to a Lunnon theatre was here at fair-time. Whether he had heard of Waife chanceways, and come express to judge for hisself, I can't say; like eno'. And when he had seen Gentleman Waife act, he sent for him to the inn--Red Lion--and offered him a power o' money to go to Lunnon,--Common Garden. Well, sir, Waife did not take to it all at once, but hemmed and hawed, and was at last quite coaxed into it, and so he went. But bad luck came on it; and I knew there would, for I saw it all in my crystal.
gpt
Oh, exclaimed Vance,
human
What happened?
gpt
What happened? why, just what I foreseed. There was an accident in the railway 'tween this and Lunnon, and poor Waife lost an eye, and was a cripple for life: so he could not go on the Lunnon stage at all; and what was worse, he was a long time atwixt life and death, and got summat bad on his chest wi' catching cold, and lost his voice, and became the sad object you have gazed on, young happy things that ye are.
human
But he got some compensation from the railway, I suppose?
gpt
He did, and spent it. I suppose the gentleman broke out in him as soon as he had money, and, ill though he was, the money went. Then it seems he had no help for it but to try and get back to Mr. Rugge. But Mr. Rugge was sore and spiteful at his leaving; for Rugge counted on him, and had even thought of taking the huge theatre at York, and bringing out Gentleman Waife as his trump card. But it warn't fated, and Rugge thought himself ill-used, and so at first he would have nothing more to say to Waife. And truth is, what could the poor man do for Rugge? But then Waife produces little Sophy.
human
You mean Juliet Araminta?
gpt
Same--in private life she be Sophy. And Waife taught her to act, and put together the plays for her. And Rugge caught at her; and she supports Waife with what she gets; for Rugge only gives him four shillings a week, and that goes on 'baccy and such like.
human
Such like--drink, I presume?
gpt
No--he don't drink. But he do smoke, and he has little genteel ways with him, and four shillings goes on 'em. And they have been about the country this spring, and done well, and now they be here. But Rugge behaves shocking hard to both on 'em: and I don't believe he has any right to her in law, as he pretends,--only a sort of understanding which she and her grandfather could break if they pleased; and that's what they wish to do, and that's why little Sophy wants the three pounds.
human
How? cried Lionel, eagerly.
gpt
If they had three pounds could they get away? and if they did, how could they live? Where could they go?
human
That's their secret. But I heard Waife say--the first night they came here--I that if he could get three pounds, he had hit on a plan to be independent like. I tell you what put his back up: it was Rugge insisting on his coming on the stage agin, for he did not like to be seen such a wreck. But he was forced to give in; and so he contrived to cut up that play-story, and appear hisself at the last without speaking.
gpt
My good friend, cried young Lionel,
human
Certain sure you can, after the play's over; to-night, if you like.
gpt
No, to-morrow: you see my friend is impatient to get back now; we will call to-morrow.
human
said the Cobbler.
gpt
But you can't be sure to see them safely at my house afore ten o'clock at night; and not a word to Rugge! mum!
human
Not a word to Rugge, returned Lionel;
gpt
It is I who have had the talk now, said Lionel, in his softest tone. He was bent on coaxing three pounds out of his richer friend, and that might require some management. For amongst the wild youngsters in Mr. Vance's profession, there ran many a joke at the skill with which he parried irregular assaults on his purse; and that gentleman, with his nose more than usually in the air, having once observed to such scoffers
human
a wag had exclaimed,
gpt
At your expense! Don't fear; if a joke were worth a farthing, you would never give that permission.
human
It is I who have all the talk now!
gpt
Naturally, then returned Vance,
human
Ah, Vance, if I had three pounds!
gpt
Tush; and say no more till we have supped. I have the hunger of a wolf.