The Young Shakespeare

(after R. Sisson)

It was strange how quickly, after that first day, William became used to going to school. Of course, he was never ready in time. Every morning, Margery called him precisely at half-past-five, and every morning he dressed and had breakfast too long, and had never packed his satchel the night before, / and was always leaving the house in a panic and running through the streets. As the clock struck seven, he was running up the stairs and through the silent room to his seat, feeling the cold grey eyes of the Master upon him. He was afraid of Master Hunt.

William enjoyed learning, and was very quick to understand, but when he had to prepare a copy for the Master, or had to write a piece at his dictation, his pen began to blot and his memory to fail. When the work was given in, he heard his Master’s voice, “William Shakespeare, you can do better than this” — even though there were several others, older than he was, who had not done as well.

William soon made friends among the boys. There was always Dick Quiney, who came to school early, worked hard all day, and in the end got no better marks than Rufus who idled half his time away. It seemed rather unfair, but somehow William enjoyed Rufus’ company much more than Dick’s. “The trouble with Dick,” said Rufus, “isn’t that he’s good, but that he makes everyone else want to be bad.” William certainly found that the sight of Dick who was working so hard always made him wish to do something simply dreadful — especially if he caught Rufus’ eye a second later. He tried not to let Rufus lead him into mischief, after that first day, but it was not easy for him. There were times when the whole school, including the Usher, was laughing at something Rufus had said, except Dick.

Notes:
the Usher — младший учитель
to blot — оставлять кляксы
in the end — в конце концов
dreadful — ужасный, очень плохой
mischief — озорство, проказы