Chapter 10 concludes with Mr. Heminges holding a vote. The matter at hand is whether Widge should be allowed to join the theatre troupe. This vote is a result of a lie told by Widge. Remember, at the end of chapter 9, Widge comes to a startling realization: the table-book with the William Shakespeare play is nowhere to be found. Widge becomes determined to find it. He retraces his steps and heads back to the playhouse. Unfortunately for Widge, he’s felled by a door. No, Thomas Pope did not mean to knock Widge out with the door. “I am not a violent man,” Pope insists. Widge’s mission has now landed him in hot water.

To get out of his pickle and avoid the wrath of Falconer, Widge quickly forms a strategy. This involves the aforementioned lie about what he was doing. Widge claims that he wants to be an actor ("a player"). The cannoneer (whose name is Jack) doesn’t believe him. Unlike Pope, the cannoneer comes across as a violent man. He offers to “spill his brains.” Taking into account the cannoneer’s reaction to Widge, it’s not so surprising that the cannoneer is one of two members to vote against inducting Widge into their group.

The other member is Nick. Nick’s vote against Widge probably isn’t so unforeseen either. According to Mr. Heminges, Nick’s position in the group is precarious. His changing voice and impending beard are signs that his days as a “strapping boy” are numbered. Nick’s vote against Widge could also be seen as foreshadow for his own relationship with Falconer.