"You'll break mother's heart," suggested Julie, but in a hopelessly resigned tone.
"Only the same old break, sister, and it's been cracked and mended so many times, I'm sure it'll stand another smash."
"Oh, he's going, and that's all there is about it," said Carlotta with the air of a fatalist.
"I'm going," Peter assented, "but that isn't all there is about it. I'm coming back!" and he looked at the girl with unmistakable intent.
"Maybe and maybe not," she returned, with crushing carelessness, whether real or assumed.
"Yes, indeed, maybe and maybe not!" put in Julie. "You don't know about the prophecy, Carly! Shall I tell her, Peter?"
"Tell me, of course," and Miss Harper looked eagerly interested. "Who prophesied what? and when?"
"Oh, it was years ago," Julie began, "we met a lot of gypsies, and mother would have them tell the family fortunes. And one of them said that Peter would go off on a long journey and that he would die a terrible death and never come home."
"Oh," Carly shuddered, "don't tell me any more!"
"But the more is the best part of it," said Peter, smiling; "you see, mother was so upset by this direful news, that another gypsy took pity on her and amended my cruel fate. The second seeress declared that I must meet the destiny number one had dealt me, but that to mitigate the family grief, I would return afterwards."