He could also ring the bell for Jim, or call to him,
for while he was in the house Jim was sure to be near by; but he felt he
must deal with the business alone.
The Romany did not move towards the spirit-table, and Ingolby became
increasingly vigilant.
"No, I can't pay you anything, that's clear," he said; "but to get your
own--I've got some influence out here--what can I do? A stranger is up
against all kinds of things if he isn't a native, and you're not. Your
home and country's a good way from here, eh?"
Suddenly the Romany faced him. "Yes. I come from places far from here.
Where is the Romany's home? It is everywhere in the world, but it is
everywhere inside his tent. Because his country is everywhere and
nowhere, his home is more to him than it is to any other. He is alone
with his wife, and with his own people. Yes, and by long and by last, he
will make the man pay who spoils his home. It is all he has. Good or bad,
it is all he has. It is his own."
Ingolby had a strange, disturbing premonition that he was about to hear
what would startle him, but he persisted. "You said you had come here to
get your own--is your home here?"
For a moment the Romany did not answer. He had worked himself into a
great passion.
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