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The Romany Rye by George Henry Borrow
page 130 of 544 (23%)
return in the midst of the night, how dark and dreary would the
dingle appear without a fire! truly, I will keep up the fire, and I
will do more; I have no board to spread for her, but I will fill
the kettle, and heat it, so that, if she comes, I may be able to
welcome her with a cup of tea, for I know she loves tea."
Thereupon, I piled more wood upon the fire, and soon succeeded in
procuring a better blaze than before; then, taking the kettle, I
set out for the spring. On arriving at the mouth of the dingle,
which fronted the east, I perceived that Charles's wain was nearly
opposite to it, high above in the heavens, by which I knew that the
night was tolerably well advanced. The gypsy encampment lay before
me; all was hushed and still within it, and its inmates appeared to
be locked in slumber; as I advanced, however, the dogs, which were
fastened outside the tents, growled and barked; but presently
recognising me, they were again silent, some of them wagging their
tails. As I drew near a particular tent, I heard a female voice
say--"Some one is coming!" and, as I was about to pass it, the
cloth which formed the door was suddenly lifted up, and a black
head and part of a huge naked body protruded. It was the head and
upper part of the giant Tawno, who, according to the fashion of
gypsy men, lay next the door wrapped in his blanket; the blanket
had, however, fallen off, and the starlight shone clear on his
athletic tawny body, and was reflected from his large staring eyes.

"It is only I, Tawno," said I, "going to fill the kettle, as it is
possible that Miss Berners may arrive this night." "Kos-ko,"
drawled out Tawno, and replaced the curtain. "Good, do you call
it?" said the sharp voice of his wife; "there is no good in the
matter! if that young chap were not living with the rawnee in the
illegal and uncertificated line, he would not be getting up in the
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