“If you come here to-morrow you’ll mebbe walk up with me to the planting on t’other side of yon beck. The rai as this land belongs to lets me tshin (cut) all the wuzen (elder) I wants. My old daddy used to say—

“‘You should never lay a chopper to a tree wi’out first axing the fairies’ leave,’ but folks forgets to do it now.”

The eyes of my friends here began to turn frequently in the direction of the cart-track. Indeed, when their eyes were not looking that way it seemed to me that their minds still were. Nor was this expectancy to go long unsatisfied, for soon there appeared in the sunken lane a black chimney topping a green-hooded vehicle, a light cart bringing up the rear. These Gypsies turned out to be a married son of Sam, with his wife and family. Here was a jolly arrival. With surprising rapidity the horses were unyoked, and the newcomers were gathered round their parents on the grass. Off to a well-known spring run the girls to fill the kettle and a bucket or two, and the boys scamper off towards a spinney to return with an abundance of dead wood. Then how the fires crackle and spurt, and in next to no time the steam is puffing from kettle spouts.

Feeling ten years younger for my visit to the Furzemoor Gypsies, I climbed up the deeply-rutted lane on the way to the distant railway station, and, as I turned for a last look, brown hands were waving, and kushto bok (good luck), which is the Gypsy’s “good-bye,” was shouted after me. On my part I felt a strong tugging at the heart when, at a bend in the lane, I caught a farewell glimpse of the domed tents, upcurling blue smoke, and happy Gypsies among the golden gorse.

GLOSSARY

PRONUNCIATION [291]

I. Vowel-Sounds

As In
â alms (âms).
a aloe (alô).
aw all (awl).
ê ale (êl).
è air (èr).
e ell (el).
î eel (îl).
i ill (il).
ô old (ôld).
o olive (oliv).
û ooze (ûz).
u book (buk).
ù ulcer (ùlsa).

II. Diphthongs

As In
ai aisle (ail).
oi oyster (oista).
ou ounce (ouns).