And a cheery meal we made of it, for what with his
lordship's tactful, easy courtesy and Diana's serene unconsciousness,
who could worry over such trifles as grimy hands or shirt sleeves; and
if the Tinker be-jammed his fingers or Diana drank from her saucer,
she did it with such assured grace as charmed me, and when his
lordship followed her example, I loved him for the courtly gentleman
he was.
"You have studied and thought deeply, I think, friend Jarvis?" said
his lordship. "You reverence books?"
"Aye, sir--my lord. I used to peddle 'em once, but I read more than I
ever sold."
"Ah, yes," said Diana; "'t was our good, kind Jerry taught me how to
read and write when I lived wi' the Folk."
"And what of your parents, child?"
"I only remember old Azor."
"But you are not of the Zingari, I think?"
"I don't know, old pal--and what's it matter--O Jerry, the shin o'
beef!" she exclaimed, clasping her hands. "Jessamy's back by this and
it ought to be in the pot. So if you want me to sing--"
"We do!" said his lordship, and rising he brought her to the organ;
there, standing beside him while he played a hushed accompaniment, she
sang, at my suggestion, that same wild gipsy air which had so stirred
me once before in the wood. But to-day, confined within these
surrounding walls, her voice seemed to me even more glorious, so
softly pure and plaintively sweet, anon soaring in trilling
ecstasy--until the swelling glory sank, languished to a sigh and was
gone; and I for one lost in awed wonder and delight.
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