George Borrow

“ If I called you brother, it was because I didn't know what else to call you. Marry, come up, brother, I should be sorry to have you for a brother.'
'Then you don't like me?'
'Neither like you nor dislike you, brother; what will you have for that kekaubi?'
'What's the use of talking to me in that un-Christian way; what do you mean, young gentlewoman?'
'Lord, brother, what a fool you are; every tinker knows what a kekaubi is. I was asking you what you would have for that kettle.'
'Three-and-sixpence, young gentlewoman ”

“ She will be grateful to you; she will bring you her little dog to show you, her pretty juggal; the poor person's child will come and see you again; you are not going away to-day, I hope, or to-morrow, pretty brother, grey-haired brother—you are not going away to-morrow, I hope?'
'Nor the next day,' said I, 'only to take a stroll to see if I can sell a kettle; good-bye, little sister, Rommany sister, dingy sister.'
'Good-bye, tall brother,' said the girl, as she departed, singing
'The Rommany chi,' etc. 'There's something about that girl that I don't understand,' said I to myself ”

“ I could have done it better myself; three-and-sixpence! it's only fit to be played at football with.'
'I will take no less for it, young gentlewoman; it has caused me a world of trouble.'
'I never saw a worse mended kettle. I say, brother, your hair is white.'
''Tis nature; your hair is black; nature, nothing but nature.'
'I am young, brother; my hair is black—that's nature: you are young, brother; your hair is white—that's not nature.'
'I can't help it if it be not, but it is nature after all ”

“ I passed the greater part of the day in endeavouring to teach myself the mysteries of my new profession. I cannot say that I was very successful, but the time passed agreeably, and was therefore not ill spent. Towards evening I flung my work aside, took some refreshment, and afterwards a walk.
This time I turned up the small footpath of which I have already spoken. It led in a zigzag manner through thickets of hazel, elder, and sweet-brier ”

“ I was rejoiced at the sight, for I had already experienced the want of water, which I yet knew must be nigh at hand, as I was in a place to all appearance occasionally frequented by wandering people, who I was aware never take up their quarters in places where water is difficult to be obtained. ”