Chapter 50

‘Good-bye, Johnson, and good luck.’ ‘I’ve no reason for such, for Esmeralda’s gone, and there’s no woman for me but Esmeralda.’ Late in the evening, with aching back, Robert trudged home. And the result of his day’s cogitations was that Rwth must be taught to write. She must be taught in secret, by Gillian. Neither Elmer nor Fringal must know. And when she had learnt, he himself must question her. He must probe into her soul and see if it was gipsy. He must ask if she remembered jewels and golden buckles. He would …