And so we made bold to enter, between a few Rolls of brown and gray Cloth; and found Master _Hewet_ seated behind a Desk, holding a Pen, but not using it, discoursing with a sober-apparelled Friend, and ever and anon casting a quiet amused Look at the Turmoil on the Bridge. He was what I then counted a middle-aged, but should now reckon a youngish Man, somewhere betwixt thirty and forty Years of Age, of a good Presence and a piercing but pleasant Eye; and with that in his Carriage and Looks that discovered he had Something within him beyond the common, that tended to excite Affection and Veneration. So soon as his Eye lighted pleasantly upon us, "Surely, thou art the Widow _Osborne_!" quod he to my Mother, "and this, by his Favour, I am sure is the Son of mine old School-mate. He will, I trust, prove of as good Conditions." And, putting down his Pen, he quickly led the Way into a pleasant Chamber at the Back, o'erlooking the River, wherein, a watering of some Flowers on the Window-sill, was a middle-aged Gentlewoman, clad in Black, of a benign Aspect, a mild hazel Eye, and a Tinct that had more of the Pearl than the Peach in it. "Sister _Fraunces_," quod Master _Hewet_, "here is Mistress _Osborne_;" whereon the Gentlewoman turned about and spake courteouslie unto my Mother, whom she made to sit down and take Wine and Spiced-bread; while I, as a mannerly Youth, stood in Presence of mine Elders. Then sayth my Mother to Master _Hewet_, "I come, Sir, in answer to your considerate Letter, to put my Boy in your Charge:—he's but country-bred, though a good Lad, and come of a good Stock ... not only born of a Woman, but taught of a Woman, alas that I should say so! save for his School-teaching." "Marry, his Brother-prentice, then, is one of another Feather," saith Master _Hewet_, smiling, "we shall see which turns out best. Leave your Son with me; and at the End of a Month or so, when he hath looked at the Trade a little, we will decide whether or no to have him bound." "Alas, Sir!" saith my Mother, with lengthened Face, "may not all be done now? I have two small Children at Home, mine Absence is untimeous, and Travelling is strange to me—I have the Fee ready, the Boy is willing, and you cannot choose but be satisfied with his Conditions, for the Lad is a good Lad, though 'tis his Mother that says so." "Well," saith Master _Hewet_, after a little Thought, "the Course is uncommon, for we mainly like to prove a Youth and see whether he be likely to do Good at the Trade, and be a profitable and desirable Apprentice before we bind him; but since your Case is in some Respects singular, it shall be as you say; for, as it happens, this is one of the Days on which the Court and Master sit to bind and enroll 'Prentices." So forth we went: he making Way for my Mother, and I following last.