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
she runs hither and thither and gathers Borage, and Blue Bugloss, and
Bushy Red-mint, and bringeth them to me, saying, "What's this?" and
"What's this?" And so we go on Day by Day.
Now as touching _Miles Hackathrift_. When I first lay sick, I have said
he was mighty softened, and went gently and seemed amain concerned for
me. Howbeit, Boy's Grief not long lasteth, and he soon fell tired of
feeling or feigning any; more by Token, he perceived his was outrun by
that of Everyone in the House. Whereupon he turned about, and grew
indifferent, then jealous, then surly, then envious, doubtless by small
Degrees; but of this, I, being apart from him, was not cognizant; and
the Change made itself apparent to me all at once. First, when Master
_Hewet_ was out, he took Advantage of it to come trampling up Stairs
with all the Clamour he could, singing, "Row the Boat, Norman!" in a
defiant sort of Way; and when Mistress _Fraunces_ put her Head forth of
the Lattice Chamber and sayth, "Make not such a Turmoil, _Miles_," he
pretended to stumble on _Tomkins's_ Stair, and let a heavy Weight roll
all the way down it. When he clattered down after it, Mistress
_Fraunces_, watching her Opportunity, gave him a Rap on the Head, which
I know that white Hand of hers could not have dealt very heavily;
natheless he took Occasion by it to cry out sharply, and then give one
or two dismal Grones, which he was too spirited to have done had he in
verity been mal-entreated. However, finding he might not sing nor slam
Doors while I lay under the Leech's Care, he turned sulky and held
close, so as that scarce yea or nay was to be had out of him. When at
length I returned to our Loft, he took Care to do me to wit how pleasant
it had been to him to have it all to himself; and immediately took
Advantage of my coming back, to oversleep himself of a Morning. Also he
instantly intermitted all the little Share of my Work that had been put
upon him while I was ill. Seeing me turn white from Time to Time, he
said I was shamming for the Sake of Soups and Cordials; and when I went
forth with Mistress _Anne_, he called me a special good Nursery-maid.
All this I cared for very little, knowing that when I got stout, I could
soon put him down; but meantime, 'twas not over-pleasant to be scoffed
at as a languid Lad, who, if trodden on, could not turn again. One Day,
when some Trifle had made me start and change Colour,—I think it was
seeing Mistress _Anne_ go nigh the open Window,—he had half pronounced,
"You Coward!" when, suddenly changing his Mind, he sayth, "Dost know
what new Name I have found for thee, and taught the Lads along the
Bridge? 'The Knight of the Flying Leap!'" Which was humourous, but not
well natured. Howbeit I heard it often enough for awhile, but as a Title
of Distinction instead of Derision; which incensed the Author of it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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