Robert sighed. “I’d like right well to be that kind of a gypsy,” he said. “I’d like to wander away, away, away from nurses and houses and routine studies.”
Miss Dahlia appeared in the door and she was followed by a maid with a tray. “I thought you children might like a tea party,” she said, “and if you do not mind, I will join you.”
The hour was soon up and the doctor bore away a very thoughtful lad. “Lady Red Bird is a real gypsy,” he was thinking, “and I don’t believe she will civilize.”
CHAPTER XIII.
MYSTERIOUS REVELATIONS.
That was the beginning of a series of visits. Sometimes these two planned to meet on the beach and always Nan wore her gypsy dress. Somehow she was determined that her new friend should not forget who she really was.
A week had passed and they were becoming well acquainted. Being constantly questioned about her past life, Nan had told many stories of the gypsies and adventures.
They were sitting in the sun on the sand one morning and Nan was being especially thoughtful.
“A penny for your thoughts, Lady Red Bird?” the boy asked.
“I was wondering where I will find the caravan when I run away.” She looked up, a strange eagerness in her expressive dark eyes. “I must find them when I am eighteen for Manna Lou is to tell me then about my own mother.”
Hesitatingly the boy suggested: “Would you be greatly disappointed if she were to tell you that you are not a real gypsy?” He almost feared that she would flare at him wrathfully as she had that first time, when he had scoffed at the idea of her being one. But instead, she turned toward him dark eyes in which there was the light of a simple conviction. “There is no question about that. I asked Manna Lou, and she said—‘It is real gypsy blood that has given you that dark skin Leichen Nan.’ But more, she would not tell. Manna Lou never lied.”