This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
122
THE STRIPLING: A TRAGEDY.


ROBERT.

What makes you growl so at a body? Is there any harm in axing a question or two? for I wants hugely to know how he looks, and how he demeans himself upon it.

HUMPHRY.

He demeans himself like a man; and how he looks, those may say who have courage enough to look at him. I saw no part of him higher than his waist.

ROBERT.

Ah, poor gentleman! he was a good master to us, I must say that for him; and had it not been for those sharking fellows hanging about him so, eating up his substance through the day, and leading him to the gaming-house at night, he would have remained so, living in credit and honesty. His lady, poor woman! my heart grieves for her; and that fine lad, our young master, what will become of him?

HUMPHRY.

Ay, generous boy! kindly boy! noble boy! it will pull hard at his high spirit, I warrant ye. He will be fifteen next Monday; and what a joyless birthday it will be!

ROBERT.

Yes, man: he is so courteous and so gentle with us here; and yet they say at school, amongst