Mark turned scarlet.
"And you," the hussy turned to Archie. "Ah, you're a real beauty, but your brother's eyes are handsomer than your'n."
"How do you know he's my brother?" said Archie.
"We Romanies know many things. Give me half a crown, and I'll tell you both a true fortune."
"Shall we take a bob's worth?" said Archie. "Sixpence each?"
"I'll read your hand for a bob," said the girl, "and his," she nodded at Mark, "for nothing."
Archie produced a shilling. The girl took his hand between her long, slender fingers, and gazed at the lines on it.
"Well," said a harsh voice, "what do you see?"
An old hag, possibly the girl's grandmother, had approached silently.
"Hullo," said Archie, "I suppose you're the queen of the gipsies. Mother Shipton herself," he added sotto voce.