The Romany Rye: a sequel to "Lavengro"Borrow, George
General
The Romany Rye: a sequel to "Lavengro"
Borrow, George
Adventure stories; England -- Fiction; Romanies -- Fiction
I took tea that evening with Mr. and Mrs. Petulengro and Ursula, outside
of their tent. Tawno was not present, being engaged with his wife in his
own tabernacle; Sylvester was there, however, lolling listlessly upon the
ground. As I looked upon this man, I thought him one of the most
disagreeable fellows I had ever seen. His features were ugly, and,
moreover, as dark as pepper; and, besides being dark, his skin was dirty.
As for his dress, it was torn and sordid. His chest was broad, and his
arms seemed powerful; but, upon the whole, he looked a very caitiff. "I
am sorry that man has lost his wife," thought I; "for I am sure he will
never get another." What surprises me is, that he ever found a woman
disposed to unite her lot with his!
After tea I got up and strolled about the field. My thoughts were upon
Isopel Berners. I wondered where she was, and how long she would stay
away. At length becoming tired and listless, I determined to return to
the dingle, and resume the reading of the Bible at the place where I had
left off. "What better could I do," methought, "on a Sunday evening?" I
was then near the wood which surrounded the dingle, but at that side
which was farthest from the encampment, which stood near the entrance.
Suddenly, on turning round the southern corner of the copse, which
surrounded the dingle, I perceived Ursula seated under a thorn-bush. I
thought I never saw her look prettier than then, dressed as she was, in
her Sunday's best.
"Good evening, Ursula," said I; "I little thought to have the pleasure of
seeing you here."
"Nor would you, brother," said Ursula, "had not Jasper told me that you
had been talking about me, and wanted to speak to me under a hedge; so,
hearing that, I watched your motions, and came here and sat down."
"I was thinking of going to my quarters in the dingle, to read the Bible,
Ursula, but . . ."
"Oh, pray then, go to your quarters, brother, and read the Miduveleskoe
lil; you can speak to me under a hedge some other time."
"I think I will sit down with you, Ursula; for, after all, reading godly
books in dingles at eve is rather sombre work. Yes, I think I will sit
down with you;" and I sat down by her side.
"Well, brother, now you have sat down with me under the hedge, what have
you to say to me?"
"Why, I hardly know, Ursula."
"Not know, brother; a pretty fellow you to ask young women to come and
sit with you under hedges, and, when they come, not know what to say to
them."
"Oh! ah! I remember; do you know, Ursula, that I take a great interest in
you?"
"Thank ye, brother; kind of you, at any rate."
"You must be exposed to a great many temptations, Ursula."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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