II4 THE CRUISE OF THE ROVER CARAVAN

fool too, than a hansom cabman summoned thus, But
Polly made matters worse.

“Come on,” she cried. ‘Come along, you old, old,
OLD sinner.”

‘Who wants the ’ansom ?” shouted the first comer.

“Rats!” roared Polly, and the people had to hold
their sides laughing, while the men drove off, using
language that was voluble, to say the least of it.

“Tl give ye ten poun’ for that bird, Scottie,” said
a man to Douglas.

He shook his head and smiled.

“Don’t insult the gemman,” said another; “ye can
see he ain’t a gip.”

Down the steps of the adjoining house now came a
nice-looking old lady with snow-white hair.

“JT know,” she said, with a kindly smile, “that you
are only playing at being gipsies, and I should like to
look inside. May I?”

Douglas was delighted, and so was the old lady
when she saw everything.

They stopped here half-an-hour, all the crew,
including Lady Bute, being regaled on bread and
cheese and milk, to buy which Major Buffles was
despatched to a shop not far off. Just as they were
getting up anchor once again, the neat-handed Phyllis
brought a basket of fruit, and a bouquet of flowers,
with Mrs. Nicoll’s compliments.

So away they went, kissing hands to the window as
they drove off.