* * * * *
So early did they start, on and away over the hills and through the beautiful woods, next day, that there was hardly a soul astir to see them off.
They did not give another entertainment for a whole fortnight. But nobody was really idle. Indeed, Fitzroy was the busiest of the busy. Wasn’t he building a new play to be put upon the boards late in autumn? Besides, he spent his leisure time in fashioning flutes. This was most congenial employment, and he could think out his drama even as he worked. The flutes when fashioned were really beautiful instruments, and there was in London a firm that knew their value and gave him good prices. But he received even larger sums for the flutes he sold privately.
When they lay for a few days at some village, they billed it, not for the play, but for “Peggy the Palmist.”
“Oh, yes, she had studied palmistry as an exact science. I myself have doubts concerning its exactness, but after reading a hand, Peggy made wonderfully good guesses as to the past and future life of her visitors. The bills ran something as follows:—
“THALASSAINE,
The world-renowned Child Palmist, will deliver an outdoor lecture on Palmistry in the camp of the Wandering Minstrels
On etc., etc.,
Admission Free.
Thalassaine may be consulted by appointment at her caravan, the ‘Little Rover,’ or will attend ladies at their own residences. Fee on application.”
Did the lectures pay? Indeed they did. Though they were free, a collection was made to defray all expenses, and after this Peggy would sing and play, the giant and dwarf went through a short performance, and Johnnie gave an exhibition with the Indian clubs.