I consented, being indeed rather weary.

"You will like to see Mrs. Siddons, whom we have so often talked
about? She is not young now, Mr. Charles says, but magnificent
still. She first came out in this same theatre more than twenty
years ago. Yates saw her. I wonder, Phineas, if your father ever
did."

"Oh, no my father would not enter a play-house for the world."

"What!"

"Nay, John, you need not look so troubled. You know he did not bring
me up in the Society, and its restrictions are not binding upon me."

"True, true." And he resumed his walk, but not his cheerfulness.
"If it were myself alone, now, of course what I myself hold to be a
lawful pleasure I have a right to enjoy; or, if not, being yet a lad
and under a master--well, I will bear the consequences," added he,
rather proudly; "but to share them--Phineas," turning suddenly to me,
"would you like to go home?--I'll take you."

I protested earnestly against any such thing; told him I was sure we
were doing nothing wrong--which was, indeed, my belief; entreated him
to be merry and enjoy himself, and succeeded so well, that in a few
minutes we had started in a flutter of gaiety and excitement for
Coffee-house Yard.

It was a poor place--little better than a barn, as Mr. Charles had