Shakespeare's Globe Read Online Free

clapped her hands in delight. ‘Is the play
Romeo and Juliet
?’
    Master Burbage raised his eyebrows. ‘You are sharp, Billy-Odd-Job. It is, indeed. Now go. Be back in two days, an hour before we open, to don your costume.’
    My heart swelled big enough to burst. I didn’t think it was possible ever to be so happy.
    ‘Billy!’ he called after us. ‘Your mother must permit this. Your father, when he arranged for you to come to the Globe, said she does not love the playhouse.’
    After a brief pause, I said, ‘Yes, sir.’
    As Aunt Meg and I walked away, she said, ‘That could be a problem.’
    I felt as if the sun had gone behind a dark grey cloud.

CHAPTER SIX
    ‘No! No! No!’
    ‘But Mother—’
    ‘No buts, Billy! What would people think of you, on the stage like a common player?’ she said, hacking onions into fat slices.
    Aunt Meg murmured, ‘I would be proud if my nephew was in a play.’
    Mother stared at her. ‘Are you mad? You know how players are thought of. Vagabonds, rascals—’
    ‘Not these players,’ said Aunt Meg. ‘William Shakespeare is the greatest poet in the land, people say. And Master Burbage is a true gentleman, as well as a great
player.’
    Mother banged her knife down, making the onions bounce. ‘Enough, Meg! I am sick of hearing about William Shakespeare. As for Master Burbage, tell me, pray, how would
you
know
he’s a gentleman? Have you met him? No!’
    ‘Yes,’ said Aunt Meg.
    She told Mother about our conversation with Master Burbage. Maybe
I
should have done that instead of bursting into the house, crying, ‘They want me to act on the stage. Please say
yes!’
    Aunt Meg tried hard to change Mother’s mind. ‘Think how impressed people will be that my sister’s boy is thought highly of by William Shakespeare and…
and…’
    ‘Richard Burbage,’ I said.
    ‘…Richard Burbage,’ she finished, adding, ‘They are important people in London. The King likes them, after all.’
    Mother sat down, looking bemused. ‘Will Shakespeare and the King…’ she muttered to herself. ‘Who would have thought it?’
    ‘Please?’ I begged.
    ‘Billy, don’t keep on,’ she said. ‘You know I don’t—’
    Just then, Susan gave a long, wailing cry. That was the end of the conversation. I grabbed Mother’s oniony hand. ‘
Please
?’
    She pulled away, wiped her hands and hurried upstairs. Just before she disappeared from view, she glanced back.
    ‘You may do it. But this once only. Never ask me again.’
    I hugged Aunt Meg. ‘Thank you!’ I cried. ‘What heaven! Me! A player!’
    Mother called for a damp cloth. ‘Susan’s fever is high,’ she said.
    I fetched the cloth. As I gave it to her, I said, ‘May I go and tell Master Burbage I have your permission?’
    ‘Yes,’ she said, ‘but be back before dark and take care. I don’t suppose oh-so-wonderful Master Burbage wants a player with a fat lip and bloody nose.’
    I set off with Hoppy, thinking how this would wipe the smile off the faces of those ruffians who think I’m so useless.
    As I walked, I had the feeling Hoppy and I weren’t alone. Someone was behind me. Big Tom? I refused to turn round, because he’d say something like, ‘Scared of your shadow, city
boy?’
    But then I felt a tug at my breeches. It was Rosa, the little gypsy girl. No, not ‘gypsy’. If anyone heard that, she’d be in trouble.
    ‘Good day to yer, Billy,’ she said.
    ‘Good day, Rosa!’ I said.
    ‘I didn’t know if I should speak to yer,’ she said.
    ‘Of course you should,’ I said. ‘We’re friends, are we not?’
    She grinned. ‘I likes you, Billy.’
    Hoppy put his nose in her hand, and she tickled his ears.
    ‘Rosa, why are you still here?’ I asked. ‘Your father said you would be gone.’
    Her smile vanished. ‘Me muvver is sick,’ she said. ‘She ’as to be well afore we can travel.’
    ‘I’m sorry,’ I said. ‘I hope she is well soon.’
    Rosa stopped. ‘I’m going now. I just want to