'There is no need,' she said. 'I shall not pass that way,' and she walked off quietly.
Hoskins came forward and stood beside us.
'I declare,' she said, 'she is going by the shore! What a round to get to the high road!'
'Perhaps she is going to meet a boat,' I said. For there were little coves farther on, from where boats were easily launched, and whence an hour or so's rowing would bring them to a small fishing village called Brigsea.
'Very likely,' said mamma; 'that is a good idea and explains the mystery. But she was a queer woman all the same,' and mamma seemed a tiny bit upset.
'She only told you good things, though,' I said. 'I do wonder how she knew about your escape from a great danger by water, long ago.'
'Yes,' said mamma. 'It is very strange how they know things.'
'And about our unexpected visitor,' I went on; 'that meant Taisy, of course. But I wonder who the new one coming can be?'
'Oh, nobody, I daresay,' said mamma. 'Visitors and letters coming are one of their stock prophecies. Still she did not strike me as quite a commonplace gypsy. I wish Taisy had been here to see her too. Where can they all be, I wonder?'