Page:Biographical and critical studies by James Thomson ("B.V.").djvu/220

 204 BIOGRAPHICAL STUDIES thousand a year (equal to quite twelve thousand in our days), and meaning to go back to the country ? Second, Why does Abel, who is druggist as well as tobacconist and grocer, and who supplies physic, need to consult Face about a medicine for the worms ? In Act iii., Sc. 2, enter Abel, followed by Kastril : — '^^ Face. What, honest Nab! Hast brought the damask ? Drug. No, sir ; here's tobacco. Face. 'Tis well done, Nab : thou'lt bring the damask too ? Drug. Yes ; here's the gentleman, captain, Master Kastril, I have brought to see the doctor. Face. Where's the widow ? Drug. Sir, as he likes, his sister, he says, shall come. Face. O, is it so ? Good time. Is your name Kastril, sir ? Kas. Ay, and the best of the Kastrils, I'd be sorry else, By fifteen hundred a year. Where is the doctor ? My mad tobacco-boy here tells me of one That can do things : has he any skill ? Face. Wherein, sir? Kas. To carry a business, manage a quarrel fairly, Upon fit terms. Face. It seems, sir, you are but young About the town, that can make that a question. Kas. Sir, not so young but I have heard some speech Of the angry boys, and seen them take tobacco ; And in his shop ; and I can take it too. And I would fain be one of 'em, and go down And practise in the country." What on earth, or under the earth, makes Kastril term poor, quiet, simple Abel "my mad tobacco- boy?" Where is aught wild in him, except the superstitious credulity common to his age? Mad Abel Drugger! mouton enrage, peaceablest of living