The Colloquies of Edward Osborne, Citizen and Clothworker of LondonManning, Anne
History
The Colloquies of Edward Osborne, Citizen and Clothworker of London
Manning, Anne
Biographical fiction; London (England) -- History -- 16th century -- Fiction; Osborne, Edward, 1530?-1591 -- Fiction
_Tib_, the Cook, made and kept but few Friends. She was turned of Forty,
and had a notable scorched Face, that looked like a Kitchen Fire. Also
she was a Woman of much Thirst, both for Ale and News; and would have
been counted a notable cleanly Woman, had she not been so dirty. For
Example, she would set the House afloat with Bucketfuls of cold Water,
till only _Noah's_ Dove could have found Rest for the Sole of its Foot;
and yet, the next Minute, would fling a Tub-full of Dish-water straight
into the River, on the Heads of any Passengers that might hap to be
shooting the Arch. She got into Trouble, once or twice, for this.
Now, when I fell into my daily Course, Part of my Time was spent under
the Eye of my Master, and within hearing of his pleasant Talk, Part in
running about the Town, and Part with _Tomkins_; so that I was happy
from Morning to Night. For, _Miles_ not being fond of waiting upon the
poor lame Journeyman, I made it a Labour of Love; and he, being a
tender-spirited Man, very sensitive to small Kindnesses, took hugely to
me, as I shortly did to him. He had a busy Mind that was always at Work,
and his Occupation leaving him much Leisure for Headwork, he was always
chewing the Cud upon this or that Problem he had conned at odd Minutes
out of his old Books, or brooding upon Mysteries that were harder to
crack, and less safe for an unlearned Man to meddle with. Also he had a
mechanical Turn, which he exercised at what he called his Play Hours,
thereby only exchanging one hard Work for another; but he was so fond of
it that I was always glad to see his little File and Pincers in his
Hand. Thus it came to pass, that he never cared to stir from his Attick
into the World beneath, (though I found, afterwards, he generally
contrived to creep out somewhere on Sundays when we were all in Church,)
for, he said, Air he had plenty of, Exercise was a Misery to him, and as
for Company, had he not all he cared for, already? A few kind Words from
Master _Hewet_, continual Chat with me, a bright Glimpse of Mistress
_Anne_, and a Visit now and then from Mistress _Fraunces_, were all he
had and all he liked. For Mistress _Fraunces_ he had a wonderful Respect
and even Admiration; commending her gentle Temper, womanly Carriage, and
pleasant Voice; and bidding me note, (which I did on his naming,) that
she had, for her Years, the finest Hand that a Woman was ever graced
with. I said I wondered she had never married. He said, "Aye, indeed,
what can the Men have been about?" with a little Smile that I did not
feel to be quite respectful; and I wondered that even the gentle
_Tomkins_ must have his Fling at single Women.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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