They managed to fight their way through storm and snowdrift to the high road and thence to the town, where they got meal and sometimes broth.

The tumblers and jugglers used occasionally to hire an out-house in the town at these times--you may be sure they did not pay for it in advance--and give performances there.

It is a curious thing, but true, that our herd-boys and others were sometimes struck with the stage-fever.

Thrums lost boys to the showmen even in winter.
On the whole, the farmers and the people generally were wonderfully long-suffering with these wanderers, who I believe were more honest than was to be expected.

They stole, certainly; but seldom did they steal anything more valuable than turnips.