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One of the young men’s face hardened. “Be off with you!” he said sternly. “We want no beggars here, old woman.”

“Beggars?” screeched Ma. “You’ll be feeling my curse on you for your impertinence, young man!” Lizzie blanched, hardly knowing where to put herself.

“Oh, Bert!” one of the young girls cried in lively distress. “You mustn’t, oh indeed, you must not! I read a story in a magazine where this happened, and oh, it was awful what befell them!”

Ma wheeled about on her at once. “Ah-hah!” she cried out. “You’re a clever one, my pretty. You needn’t despair.” She stretched out her fingers. “A bright star shines at your brow and fortune smiles down upon your path in life.”

The young woman’s mouth fell open. “Oh,” she breathed. “Does it really?”

Lizzie rolled her eyes.

Ma Toomes nodded gravely. “If you care to hear more from Granny, dearie, you’ll need to cross my palm with silver.”

“Oh,” her face fell. “But I spent my last sixpence, Clarence,” she said turning crestfallen to her companion.

He grimaced but reached into his pocket all the same. “Here,” he said shortly and flipped a coin. Quick as a flash, Ma snatched it out of the air. She turned an ingratiating smile upon the young woman.

“Sweets to the sweet,” she crooned. “Let me see that pretty palm.” With only the slightest of hesitations, the girl held out one rosy upturned hand. Ma Toomes seized it and frowned over it over a moment. “Ah yes,” she muttered, one finger hovering in the air and twitching as she seemed to trace some map only she could see there. “I see a Valentine,” she said squinting closer.

“Oh yes,” the girl breathed. “I received one this year.” She blushed and glanced at Clarence who turned a fiery red.

Ma nodded. “From your true love and fated one.”

The girl gasped. “Is it really?”

Lizzie saw the other young man, Bert, give a start. A look of annoyance crossed over his face and she realized both young men must be keen on the same girl.

“I see the letter ‘C’ written in the stars,” Granny said in a faraway voice.

“Oh, that’s me,” the young woman squeaked excitedly. My name is Clara, you see.”

“No, it’s not for Clara, though it’s close,” Ma continued sounding puzzled. “The fates are drawing back a curtain now for me to see …” She squinted. “The name is …”

“Clarence!” the girl squeaked.

Granny nodded and smiled. “Clarence,” she repeated. “I see I’m telling you nothing you do not already know deep down in your heart.”

Bert was practically gnashing his teeth by now, though Clarence looked foolishly gratified.

“Oh, but I didn’t!” the girl marveled. “I was ever so unsure, but now I know,” she said casting a glowing look at Clarence. “Oh, thank you, thank you, you wonderful old lady!” she gushed. “Oh, Clarence!”

Clarence whipped out his handkerchief and handed it to Clara, who dabbed daintily at her eyes.

“Oh, I’m so glad we came,” Clara gushed. “This is a hundred times better than those old swing boats!”

Clarence laughed heartily as Clara slipped her arm through his and they moved away, leaving Bert to stare after them sourly.

“Well, you’ve properly queered my pitch!” he grumbled.

Ma rocked back on her heels. “Your fortune don’t hold love,” she told him comfortably. “Only that what glitters.”

“Let’s get after them, Bert,” the other girl said coming forward and grabbing his arm. “We’ll get left behind.”

He shook her off. “Get off, Trudie. What do you mean, that what glitters?” he demanded, turning back to Ma Toomes. She held out her palm, and grudgingly he dug into his pocket. “Here,” he said and dropped a coin into her outstretched hand.

Ma Toomes sniffed, glanced at the coin, and then seized his palm. “Yer not built for love,” she said, flashing him a cunning look. “But I do see riches and a ship docked at a port.”

“A ship?” he looked annoyed. “What’s that to me?”