"Listen, little chi. You are our friend so we will tell you why we are not happy that you are going to this place. We Romany do not like the Stiperstone country. Our wise ones tell us it is the oldest country in England. Those black rocks we call the Devil's Chair stood once above the ice that covered all this land. There is much that is bad on that mountain, and although we know this country well and sell many baskets round these villages, the Stiperstones we hate. Remember, Petronella, our friend, never to be seen near the Stiperstones on the longest night in the year, for then all the ghosts in Shropshire and all the counties beyond meet on the summit - right on and around the Chair they meet - to choose their king... And any who venture out on that night and see the ghosts of all the years' dead from hereabouts are stricken with fear and often do not live the year... And that, we know, is true... And you ask about your uncle? I do not know him. We do not often go that way, for his farm is in the very shadow of the evil mountain and hard against a lonely, rocky valley called Black Dingle. Once, long ago, we went there to sell baskets, but the house was empty, and it seemed no woman lived there then. Doubtless your uncle is a good man, my pretty, but 'tis said he is a hard one and lonely, too."

His wife broke in.

"You are too young for that old place, with all its gates and doors. Rather stay with us for a little and Miranda will teach you to cook hedge-pig, to make baskets, and to tell the future, too."

"I've got to go," Peter said; "but thank you very much all the same for asking me to stay. I ought to start because the sun has gone in and I believe it's going to rain... But I do hope to see you all again. And I've got some friends who'd love to meet you, too. P'raps we could arrange it one day... Ah! and when you come the Long Mynd way, don't forget to come and see me at Hatchholt - if it's holidays, of course - and the others are at Witchend. Do you know those places?"

Reuben smiled. "We know them. We will come."

Miranda came up to her and took her hand.

"Good-bye, my little chi. We shall meet again. Good luck go with you. But you will have the luck, for I see it in your hand, as I see the beauty in your face. One day you will have your heart's desire, but there are many adventures to come first... The Romany never forget. Miranda and Reuben will always remember what you have done for them this day."

So Peter waved to the other gipsies in the quarry and pushed her cycle out into the road.