e fire, Humphrey, all ready for you, and
you will find it very good."

"Nothing I like better, my dear girl. Pablo won't thank me for bringing
this home," continued Humphrey, taking the long saw out of the cart; "he
will have to go to the bottom of the pit again, as soon as the pit is
made."

The cart was soon unloaded, Billy taken out and turned out to feed, and
then they went in to supper.

Humphrey was off the next morning, with Pablo, at an early hour, to meet
the farmer of whom he had purchased the goats and kids. He found them
punctual to the time, at the place agreed upon; and being satisfied with
the lot, paid the farmer his money and drove them home through the
forest.

"Goat very good, kid better; always eat kid in Spain," said Pablo.

"Were you born in Spain, Pablo?"

"Not sure, but I think so. First recollect myself in that country."

"Do you recollect your father?"

"No; never see him."

"Did your mother never talk about him?"

"Call her mother, but think no mother at all. Custom with Gitanas."

"Why did you call her mother?"

"'Cause she feed me when little, beat me when I get big."

"All mothers do that. What made you come to England?"

"I don't know, but I hear people say, Plenty of money in England--plenty
to eat--plenty to drink; bring plenty money back to Spain."

"How long have you been in England?"

"One, two, three year; yes, three year and a bit."

"Which did you like best, England or Spain?"

"When with my people, like Spain best; warm sun--warm night. England,
little sun, cold night, much rain, snow, and air always cold; but now I
live with you, have warm bed, plenty victuals, like England best."

"But when you were with the gipsies, they stole everything, did they
not?"

"Not steal everything," replied Pablo, laughing, "sometimes take and no
pay when nobody there; farmer look very sharp--have big dog."

"Did you ever go out to steal?"

"Make me go out. Not bring back something, beat me very hard; suppose
farmer catch me, beat hard too nothing but beat, beat, beat."

"Then they obliged you to steal?"

"Suppose bring nothing home, first beat, and then not have to eat for
one, two, three days. How you like that, Master Humphrey? I think you
steal after no victuals for three days?"

"I should hope not," replied Humphrey, "although I have never been so
severely punished; and I hope, Pablo, you will never steal any more."

"Why steal any more?" replied Pablo.