Free The Return of the Gypsy by Philippa Carr Page A

doing things just because that was the way they had been done for hundreds of years. I wanted to be free … my own man. I did not want to obey a lot of social laws which seemed absurd to me, so I joined the gypsies. They have accepted me and some of the best friends I ever had are among them. I cut myself off completely from the old life. There were no regrets I believe on either side. My brother was relieved to be rid of one who brought nothing but trouble. It was just that I cannot endure being shut in whether it be by iron bars or conventions.”
    “I understand.”
    “Well, now this could be the ignoble end of a useless life.”
    “Don’t say that,” I cried. “In any case it wasn’t useless for Leah. You saved her, remember. And this is not going to be the end. You can get out of the country. Get to Harwich. I am sure you will be able to get across to Holland. You have the horse.”
    “I took the liberty of putting him in the stables. I fed and watered him there. He is resting … ready for the long ride to Heaven knows where.”
    “You must get to Harwich. Take the byways. They would not think of looking for you along the east coast. You’d have a good chance there.”
    “I’ll leave when it is dark. Can I trust you to tell no one I am here?”
    “Of course.”
    “I hope to lie in hiding for a while until the hue and cry has died down.”
    “Leave tonight,” I said; and I added: “I shall be thinking of you.”
    “That gives me comfort, a determination to succeed, and when you are older I shall have so much to tell you.”
    “Tell me now. I hate waiting.”
    “I hate waiting too … but this will have to wait.”
    We sat in silence for a while. Then I noticed that there had been no thunder for some little time and that the heavy rain had ceased.
    “I must go,” I said reluctantly. “They mustn’t know that I have been here. Goodbye. Good luck. You are safe here for the rest of the day.”
    “I will be watchful… and leave as soon as darkness falls. Thank you, my dear little girl. I shall think of you constantly … my beautiful young benefactress.”
    He took my face in his hands and tenderly kissed my forehead. I felt very emotional. I wanted to do so much for him; but there was nothing I could do but remain silent.
    I went across the hall. I stood at the door for a moment looking back, smiling at him.
    I felt frightened suddenly, wondering if that was the last I should see of Romany Jake.
    When I arrived home there was great consternation. Where had I been? My mother had sent the carriage over to Enderby to bring me back.
    “Dear Mother,” I said, “I am not made of sugar.”
    “And then we learned that you had already left.”
    “I sheltered.”
    She felt the sleeve of my gown. “It’s damp,” she announced. “Get it off at once. Where is Miss Rennie? Oh, Miss Rennie, see that Jessica puts her feet in a hot mustard bath at once.”
    “Certainly Mrs. Frenshaw.”
    I protested. “Really, this is absurd. I’m just a little wet.” And I was thinking, They sent the carriage over. Suppose someone had seen me go into Grasslands? Suppose they had come and found him?
    I felt sick at the thought.
    I must protect him.
    I sat in my dry gown holding it above my knees while my feet were immersed in the hot mustard bath. Miss Rennie filled it again with hot water, when she thought it was getting a little cold.
    “You should have stayed at Enderby. You could have come home in the carriage.”
    “Such a fuss …”
    How was he faring? Nobody else would call at the house this day and by nightfall he would be off.
    I could not get out of my mind the horrible thought of his hanging by a rope. It must never be.
    My mother came into the bedroom to see if her instructions were being carried out. She herself dried my feet, and while she was doing so there was the sound of voices below. She looked out of the window.
    “It’s a stranger,” she said. “Oh, there’s your father. They’re talking