He had received an invitation to accompany the Belknap family on a river excursion to Greenwich to celebrate the arrival of May, and Ann had whispered to him that Mercy was to be one of the party. Obtaining leave for the day from Burbage had proved easier than he anticipated as his manager was all in favour of him furthering his relationship with the wealthy goldsmith for the sake of the Theatre.‘If you can manage to slip into the conversation that the stage canopy needs new paint, I’d be most obliged,’ Burbage said as he dismissed his leading man to walk a very different kind of public stage. ‘A loan – or gift – right now would be very welcome.’Kit met the Belknaps down at the river steps. At first he could not see Mercy among them and feared that Ann had got her information wrong. Mistress Belknap, however, put his mind at rest when she brandished the lute before stowing it in the bottom of the boat.‘I do so hope, Master Turner, we can prevail upon you to entertain us again.
