Shakespeare. Anne! Bring her here! Bring her here quickly, privately! You should have told me sooner. Where does she wait? Did any see her? Did any speak with her? If anyone asks for me save Henslowe or Mr. Marlowe, I am gone, I am not in the theatre. What are you staring at? What are you waiting for? Bring her here!
Stage Hand. Glad to be rid of her, sir! She has sat in the passage this hour to be tripped over, and nothing budges her. [Calling] Will you come this way—this way! [He disappears.]
Shakespeare. Anne? Anne in London? What does Anne in London?
Stage Hand [returning]. This way, this way! It’s a dark passage. This way!
Mrs. Hathaway comes in.
Mrs. Hathaway. Is Mr. Shakespeare—? Will! Is it Will? Oh, how you’re changed!
Shakespeare. Ten years change a young man.
Mrs. Hathaway. But not an old woman. I’m Anne’s mother still.
Shakespeare. I’m not so changed that I forget it. What do you want of me, Mrs. Hathaway?