Page 10 of The Irish Gypsy
“None of your business, Irish. I’m not hereto answer your impertinent questions!” Julia pointed out.
“That’s ‘cause you don’t know!” flashedKitty, and Barbara laughed.
Julia slapped Kitty’s face. She immediatelyretaliated and slapped Julia’s face in the exact same spot. The twogirls stood red-faced and glared. “How dare you?” Julia saidincredulously.
Kitty said, “If you hurt me, I’ll hurt youback.”
Barbara held her breath, terrified of theoutburst that would ensue, but Julia, being the unpredictable youngwoman she was, laughed and said, “At last! Someone with some spiritaround here.” She shook a finger at Kitty, “But don’t try mypatience too far, Irish.”
By the sounds emanating from the dining roomthe men were deeply involved in their business conversation andwould likely be hours. Barbara shrugged and said, “I’ll go and helpKitty.”
“Wait—don’t leave. Let’s play a game ofcards,” Julia suggested restlessly.
“Oh, Julia, you know I’m no good at cards;you always win,” protested Barbara.
“I could read the cards for you,” suggestedKitty.
“Do you mean tell our fortunes?” asked Julia,her interest piqued.
“Oh, Kitty, are you a Gypsy?” asked Barbara,wide-eyed.
“Yes and yes,” confessed Kitty.
“Are you any good at it?” asked Juliabluntly.
“I’m an expert,” Kitty said, queening it overthem. “I can read palms, tea leaves, cards and the ancient tarot. Ican even do it all in rhyme if you like.”
Julia handed her a deck of cards. “Let’ssee.”
Kitty considered for a moment. Young girlsusually were interested in young men and falling in love. “We’llall three play this game. Each one of us shuffles the deck andpicks out five cards. Then I’ll give you the rhyme that goes witheach card.”
“Me first,” said Julia, taking the cards backfrom Kitty. She shuffled the cards quickly and with deliberationselected five cards, face down on the table. Kitty turned over thesix of spades.
“Your lucky color is turquoise blue; Yourlucky number is five times two.”
The next card was the five of diamonds.
“If you would be a rich man’s bride; Bake acake with a silver coin inside.”
The third card was the eight of clubs.
“Love, wealth and power will be yours; Ifevery night you lock two doors.”
“Ha!” said Julia with a laugh. “They won’teven let me have a key.”
Kitty turned over the fourth card: the kingof spades.
“If his name begins with J, You will seldomget your way.”
“Oh, however did you know Julia’s futurehusband is called Jeffrey?” asked Barbara, amazed.
“It’s in the cards,” said Kitty.
“Well, I shall always get my way,” assertedJulia. “That’s the reason I chose him.”
The last card was the queen of diamonds.
"This week or next will likely bring, Goodluck and an engagement ring.
