Violet Jacob > Stories told by the miller

166 STORIES TOLD BY THE MILLER
They got enough money to keep themselves
from want by Rhoda’s singing, and the cock
contrived to pick up many scraps by the way.
They went to every village they saw, and
every town; at every fair or market they were
to be seen, Rhoda with her guitar and Maggie
searching up and down for news of the rich
gipsy and his tents. As the months went by
she began to despair, but she never faltered or
forgot Alfonso.
One day they were approaching a little
hamlet, and, as they were within sight of its
roofs, groups of people passed them. Men
wore their best coats and women their best
gowns; little children ran along with holiday
faces, and horses and cattle went by in droves.
The horses had their tails plaited up with
coloured ribbons, and some had roses stuck
in their brow-bands, for it was the day of a
great fair and all sorts of shows and amuse¬
ments were going on.
The road was full of people. Just in front
of Rhoda and Maggie some men were plodding
along, laughing and joking, and one of them
turned round, calling to another, who lagged
behind the party.