"I hope none of them will follow your example, mother. I don't want to be robbed." "You won't be, rye! Burn me if you lose so much as a stick. They are my people," said Mother Jericho, confidentially; "and I told them not to come near you, dearie." "That's very kind of you," said Dan, somewhat astonished at the protection thus accorded. "And may I ask why you have tabooed me in this way?" "Hey! Tabooed! What's that?" "It's Polynesian for protection." "Polly what? I don't know no Pollys," said Mother Jericho, crossly. "I've come to read your hand and tell your fortune." "I don't believe in such rubbish." "You will afore you leave Farbis." "Will I, indeed? And where is Farbis?" "Over this ridge by the sea. Can't you hear the waves roaring? You allays hear 'em on still nights, dearie. Give me your hand, my brave rye." "I don't want my hand read," said Dan, unwillingly. "If it's money you want, here is a half-crown." Mother Jericho clawed the coin into her pocket with a mumbled exclamation of delight; then, before he could withdraw his hand, seized it and held it towards the red flame, palm upward. Half frowning, half laughing, Dan let her scan the lines, which she followed with the point of a skinny finger. "There are partings and meetings," said the sibyl. "You have come on a weary journey, and seek a pearl. What you seek you shall find, but beware of gold and silver hair." "What do you mean? What jargon is this?" "Two women shall love you, rye, and the one you hate shall seek your hand; she will aim her arrows at your heart." "At my heart?" "She will seek to do you evil through one whom you shall love. Here are fire and flame, and furious cries and brave deeds. A false father, a false mother, and joy coming up through the Gates of Dawn." "Rubbish!" Not understanding a word of her meaning, he pulled his hand roughly away. The old woman broke into a peal of derisive laughter, and sucked at her pipe in silence. In the red glow of the fire she looked like some evil creature of the night. Dan resented her presence and prophecies, and spoke angrily. "Why do you come here to tell me this nonsense?" he said, leaning forward. "I am not a superstitious fool, though, you take me for one. I don't love one woman, let alone two." "You will love afore you leave Farbis, dearie." "Indeed!" said he contemptuously. "Perhaps I will marry also!" "Ay. But there is much to be done afore then." Deeming it useless to argue against such obstinacy, Dan relapsed into silence and smoked his pipe. Yet, in spite of his apparent disbelief, he had an uneasy consciousness that the sibyl had read his mind and purpose clearer than he cared to think. He was a reticent young man, and hated to hear his private affairs discussed. But it was strange that this midnight hag should speak so truly. Dan was puzzled and displeased. "Have you ever seen me before?" he asked, after a meditative pause.