Peter could not see what it was in the tin that her hostess fetched from the caravan, but it looked as if it was dried herbs. As the Reubens' fire had not been lit long, Fenella was sent over to another camp for boiling water, and then Mrs. Reuben concocted some sort of mess with the herbs and the water and some powder out of a dirty-looking medicine bottle.

Peter began to feel rather apprehensive, and thought of the hygienic "surgery" at Pollards and matron's anti-septic precautions, as the gipsy approached with a small basin. However, she realized how she would upset her new friends if she declined the treatment, and with the thought that she could wash off all the mess as soon as she got away, she tried to smile gratefully as the hot paste from the basin was spread over the cut. It stung at first, but after a few minutes the pain went and she found that she could move the knee without much trouble.

She felt curiously lazy. She knew she ought to be getting on to Seven Gates, but she was thrilled with her new friends and looking forward to the hedgehog.

After a little, Fenella called shrilly - "Hotchi-witchi... ready..." and Mrs. Reuben turned to Peter.

"Come and see."

They went over together to an orange caravan under the trees and the woman said:

"Miranda - you must call me that - is in your debt. She will not forget. Reuben and Miranda and Fenella are your friends now. Tell us what you are named and where you come from and where you go. But wait. Tell us when you have eaten. See - here is our hedge-pig."

Peter stood by and watched the other gipsies rake away the hot embers of their wood fire, until two cylinders of baked clay were exposed. Fenella ran for a dish from the Reubens' van and one of the glowing cylinders was poked onto it. Then, with mutual expressions of goodwill, the cooks and the Reubens with their guest parted.

Round their own fire, Peter watched how the baked clay was cracked and peeled off, bringing with it the spines of the hedgehog and leaving him bare and beautifully cooked. From the pot then came a stew of gravy and vegetables, a generous helping of which was piled onto the plate of the guest of honour. She did not see how Reuben divided up the hedgehog, but her share was certainly tasty - something between rabbit and chicken - and she was so hungry that she finished her plateful almost as soon as Fenella.

Then Reuben sighed loudly and felt for his pipe. Fenella dipped her bread into the pot for the last time, and then, like a kitten, curled up on the grass and went peacefully to sleep. Miranda leaned back against the wheel of the caravan, shook her ear-rings, smiled at Peter and said: