“I was,” said Billie, somewhat startled, “but how could you tell?”
“Lady, those who sleep under the stars are sometimes gifted in that way. Since you were born in October, you should have an opal.
“‘October’s child will not be blest
Who wears no opal on her breast.’”
“But I have one,” protested Billie, “only I left it at home.”
“Then you will not buy one of these stones!” exclaimed the halfbreed darkly.
“No,” replied Miss Campbell, gently but firmly, “we wish nothing whatever. I think we must be going now, girls,” she added, rising.
The man began to put away his wares sulkily while the girls gathered their belongings together and started for the automobile.
When he had fastened the pack to his back he walked over to the Comet in which they were already seated, while Billie cranked up the machine.
“Yesterday afternoon, in front of the place called Sevenoaks, a man in an automobile was struck by lightning and killed,” he said. “Only a little while before his master had refused to buy from me. And I cursed them for their meanness. I was poor and they had money, but they refused to buy. And now I curse you. I curse you and your country and your parents and your grandparents. I curse the machine which carries you. May your way be hard and full of dangers. May the lightning play about you and the thunder smite you. May you be lost in the mountains and starve in the desert and sleep without a roof over your heads. Curses be upon you and yours.”
Having delivered himself of his burden of hatred, he strode down the road, a very figure of vengeance and enmity.