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
“A great many indeed, brother. It is hard to see fine things, such as
shawls, gold watches and chains in the shops, behind the big glasses, and
to know that they are not intended for one. Many’s the time I have been
tempted to make a dash at them; but I bethought myself that by so doing I
should cut my hands, besides being almost certain of being grabbed and
sent across the gull’s bath to the foreign country.”
“Then you think gold and fine things temptations, Ursula?”
“Of course, brother, very great temptations; don’t you think them so?”
“Can’t say I do, Ursula.”
“Then more fool you, brother; but have the kindness to tell me what you
would call a temptation?”
“Why, for example, the hope of honour and renown, Ursula.”
“The hope of honour and renown! very good, brother; but I tell you one
thing, that unless you have money in your pocket, and good broad-cloth on
your back, you are not likely to obtain much honour and—what do you call
it? amongst the gorgios, to say nothing of the Romany chals.”
“I should have thought, Ursula, that the Romany chals, roaming about the
world as they do, free and independent, were above being led by such
trifles.”
“Then you know nothing of the gypsies, brother; no people on earth are
fonder of those trifles, as you call them, than the Romany chals, and
more disposed to respect those who have them.”
“Then money and fine clothes would induce you to anything, Ursula?”
“Ay, ay, brother, anything.”
“To chore, Ursula?”
“Like enough, brother; gypsies have been transported before now for
choring.”
“To hokkawar?”
“Ay, ay; I was telling dukkerin only yesterday, brother.”
“In fact, to break the law in everything?”
“Who knows, brother, who knows? As I said before, gold and fine clothes
are great temptations.”
“Well, Ursula, I am sorry for it, I should never have thought you so
depraved.”
“Indeed, brother.”
“To think that I am seated by one who is willing to—to—”
“Go on, brother.”
“To play the thief!”
“Go on, brother.”
“The liar.”
“Go on, brother.”
“The—the—”
“Go on, brother.”
“The—the lubbeny.”
“The what, brother?” said Ursula, starting from her seat.
“Why, the lubbeny; don’t you—”
“I tell you what, brother,” said Ursula, looking somewhat pale, and
speaking very low, “if I had only something in my hand, I would do you a
mischief.”
“Why, what is the matter, Ursula?” said I; “how have I offended you?”
“How have you offended me? Why, didn’t you insinivate just now that I
was ready to play the—the—”
“Go on, Ursula.”
“The—the— I’ll not say it; but I only wish I had something in my hand.”
“If I have offended, Ursula, I am very sorry for it; any offence I may
have given you was from want of understanding you. Come, pray be seated,
I have much to question you about—to talk to you about.”
“Seated, not I! It was only just now that you gave me to understand that
you was ashamed to be seated by me, a thief, a liar.”
“Well, did you not almost give me to understand that you were both,
Ursula?”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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