“I don’t know whether I do or not. But it’s awfully thrilling to think of learning ahead what is going to happen.”
“Huh!” snorted her boy friend. “Like the weather man, eh? But he has some scientific data to go on.”
“Probably the Gypsy fortune tellers have reduced their business to a science, too,” Ruth calmly said.
“Anyhow,” laughed Neale, “Queen Zaliska now works in Byburg’s candy store. Some queen, I’ll tell the world!”
“Neale!” admonished Ruth. “Such slang!”
“Come on, Neale,” said the excited Agnes. “Let you and me go down to Byburg’s and ask her about the bracelet.”
“I really don’t see how June can tell us anything,” observed Ruth slowly.
“Anyway,” Agnes briskly said, putting on her hat, “we need some candy. Come on, Neale.”
The Wildwoods were Southerners who had not lived long in Milton. Their story is told in “The Corner House Girls Under Canvas.” The Kenways were very well acquainted with Juniper Wildwood and her sister, Rosa. Agnes felt privileged to question June about her life with the Gypsies.
“I saw Big Jim in town the other day,” confessed the girl behind the candy counter the moment Agnes broached the subject. “I am awfully afraid of him. I ran all the way home. And I told Mr. Budd, the policeman on this beat, and I think Mr. Budd warned Big Jim to get out of town. There is some talk about getting a law through the Legislature putting a heavy tax on each Gypsy family that does not keep moving. That will drive them away from Milton quicker than anything else. And that Big Jim is a bad, bad man. Why! he’s been in jail for stealing.”