ng to try to fit himself into two
centuries before his own time.

"Yes," took up Cilley, "so as I was saying, Mistress Boozer bein'
young and flighty in them days, and rightful proud of the bonnet she
had took so long to earn, wore it to the spectacle, together with her
best gown.

"Now as you seem not acquainted with the theatre, me lad, let me tell
you that we give it here in any hall standing vacant, and out of doors
in fair weather, and we set the benches in rows for those that pay for
seats."

He pulled out an evil-smelling clay pipe and stuffed it with tobacco,
tamping it down with one grubby forefinger, and when it was well lit,
pointed the stem at Chris by way of emphasis.

"Mistress Becky gets herself a good place, on this occasion, and sits
herself down, a-tossin' of her feathers and her flowers, and as proud
as a peacock, every inch of her. The people pack the benches, and the
performance then begins.

"Rightly--" and Cilley jabbed the pipestem at Chris--"Rightly, only
ladies of quality wear such hats as Becky wore, and should they go to
the spectacle--which would be doubtful, for the crowd makes it no
place for gentlewomen--they would be sitting off apart, don't you see?

"But Becky sat spang in the center of the hall, and--you've seen the
hat? 'Tis big enough for two and no mistake, and spreads along as well
as up--well, the time came to begin. The players came out on the
stage, a-speakin' of their parts and abrandishin' of their arms as
they do, when all at once a gentleman sitting behind Becky Boozer
leaned forward and asked her--ever so polite--'Madam,' sez he, 'please
be so good as to remove your bonnet!'"

[Illustration]

Here Cilley leaned forward, one hand on his stomach to facilitate a
bow, aping as best he could the speech and manners of a gentleman. In
a flash he resumed his own character and turned to Chris.

"Well, did she take it off?" Ned demanded of Chris, frowning with
concentration. "'Twas asked with rare politeness, anyone would agree
to that." He shook his head solemnly. "Why no, Master Christopher,
that she did not! Our Becky had just paid the final pence upon that
hat, and after a year, seven months and eighteen days, the hat was
hers. She wanted all beholders to admire it. What cared she if the
gentleman seated on the bench behind her saw more of her bonnet than
of the play? In Becky Boozer's opinion, 'twas a more than fair
exchange! So she tossed her head, did Becky, and d