"You will afore you leave Farbis."
"Will I, indeed? And where is Farbis?"
"Over this ridge by the sea. Can't you hear the waves roaring? You allays hear 'em on still nights, dearie. Give me your hand, my brave rye."
"I don't want my hand read," said Dan, unwillingly. "If it's money you want, here is a half-crown."
Mother Jericho clawed the coin into her pocket with a mumbled exclamation of delight; then, before he could withdraw his hand, seized it and held it towards the red flame, palm upward. Half frowning, half laughing, Dan let her scan the lines, which she followed with the point of a skinny finger.
"There are partings and meetings," said the sibyl. "You have come on a weary journey, and seek a pearl. What you seek you shall find, but beware of gold and silver hair."
"What do you mean? What jargon is this?"
"Two women shall love you, rye, and the one you hate shall seek your hand; she will aim her arrows at your heart."
"At my heart?"
"She will seek to do you evil through one whom you shall love. Here are fire and flame, and furious cries and brave deeds. A false father, a false mother, and joy coming up through the Gates of Dawn."