The craft Gilds had either disappeared before the seventeenth century or had developed into Companies, wealthy corporations differing widely from the earlier associations of craftsmen. But though the Companies were capitalistic in their tendencies, they retained many traditions and customs which were characteristic of the Gilds. The master’s place of business was still in many instances within the precincts of his home, and when this was the case his wife retained her position as mistress. Incidental references often show the wife by her husband’s side in his shop. Thus Thomas Symonds, Stationer, when called as a witness to an inquest in 1514 describes how “within a quarter of an hower after VII. a clock in the morning, Charles Joseph came before him at his stall and said ‘good morow, goship Simondes,’ and the said Simonds said ‘good morow’ to hym againe, and the wife of the said Simons was by him, and because of the deadly countenance and hasty goinge of Charles, the said Thomas bad his wife looke whether Charles goeth, and as she could perceue, Charles went into an ale house.”[304] Footnote 304: Arber, _Stationers_, Vol. III., Intro., p. 19. Decker describes a craftsman’s household in “A Shoemaker’s Holiday.” The mistress goes in and out of the workshop, giving advice, whether it is wanted or not. _Firk_: “Mum, here comes my dame and my master. She’ll scold, on my life, for loitering this Monday; ...” _Hodge_: “Master, I hope you will not suffer my dame to take down your journeyman....” _Eyre_: “Peace, Firk; not I, Hodge; ... she shall not meddle with you ... away, queen of clubs; quarrel not with me and my men, with me and my fine Firk; I’ll firk you, if you do.”[305] Footnote 305: Decker (Thos.), _Best Plays_, p. 29. But the meddling continues to the end of the play. The same sort of scene is again described in “The Honest Whore,” where Viola, the Linen Draper’s wife, comes into his shop, and says to the two Prentices and George the servant, who are at work, “Come, you put up your wares in good order, here, do you not, think you? One piece cast this way, another that way! You had need have a patient master indeed.” _George replies_ (aside) “Ay, I’ll be sworn, for we have a curst mistress.”[306] Footnote 306: _Ibid._ p. 108.