Chapter 10: Kate and the Gypsies Summary

Haying has begun. Grass is cut and piled into stacks. The children help load hay while the mother cans foodstuffs. Kate's garden is in full bloom. The workers sing praises for Marton as the "Good Master," who is willing to work among them whenever an extra hand is needed. Kate is surprised and pleased to see that, in harvesting the wheat, the workers spare sections occupied by partridge nests. The wheat is threshed, the golden grain collected into bags.

Jancsi tells Kate that traveling gypsies will soon visit, explaining that the nomadic folk are reputed to have supernatural powers. Incredulous, Kate asks Marton whether it's true that gypsies can cast hexes and charms. Marton says that he doesn't know, but advises her to stay clear of them since they tend to be thieves. Kate avows...