Will straightened up as the woman addressed him, distracting him from thoughts of supper and a pint or two. Harry had told him no drinking in the Theatre, in case any of the boys got any ideas. Which was a damn shame, because he could have done with a pint, after sitting at the bloody door all day with nothing to do. A drink to relieve the boredom, just a little drink, would have done just the thing. That or a bit to eat...
He forced himself to stop thinking and listen to the woman, to pay her attention. She was cleaner than most, and he certainly didn't recognise her, although she did seem familiar. Something in face... But she was too clean to be a local working girl, the dress was just a little more pricey then folks in Hackney could afford.
"Mr Abbot, Miss?" He repeated. Well, he'd never, ever, heard anyone in any seriousness refer to Nell as 'Mr.' Who was she? Some upset wife come to tell the boy to leave off her husband? Or one of those biblical women, come to take him away to the church? He'd heard about them, taking working girls off the streets and feeding them and whatnot. Harry would go through the roof if someone took Nell away like that.