And he seems to have been very fond of her; and was always running down to Stratford to be with her." "Yes, but he didn't bring her up to London," answered the child.

"Mama would have wanted to come; and Papa would have let her, and wouldn't have gone to see Queen Elizabeth unless she had been invited too." Joan wished she had not mentioned Shakespeare.

There had surely been others; men who had climbed up and carried their impossible wives with them.

But she couldn't think of one, just then.
"We must help her," she answered somewhat lamely.

"She's anxious to learn, I know." The child shook her head.