[Arestevana]

Elsa wandered back toward the wagon at a leisurely pace, enjoying the freshness of the morning. She had just been down to the stream to wash up, and was considering making the children do the same. Crispin’s hair could use a trim, too. she mused. Arriving back at the Whitfoot’s wagon, Elsa discovered that Kalimac and Crispin had left. Mildly surprised, she glanced around. Seeing Opal Boffin run by, Elsa called out. “Opal, sweetie, have you seen Kalimac or Crispin?”

“They’re over at Mister Headstrong’s wagon. He got arrested!” the girl said excitedly. She ran off, leaving Elsa somewhat bewildered. Mister Headstrong was arrested? What could have possibly happened? Curiosity aroused, she hurried over to see. When she reached the wagon, she was confronted by a violent scene. Kalimac had hold of young master Proudfoot’s shirt collar and seemed about to strike the boy. Shocked, Elsa hurried forward, frightened by the rage she saw in her husband’s face.

“Kal! Kal, what’s the matter? Oh, please don’t hurt that boy, you know you don’t mean to!” She cried, babbling nervously. Kalimac was breathing hard but he released the boy, who surprisingly seemed more disdainful than frightened. He responded before Kalimac had recovered his calm, speaking with a pronounced smirk. “Crispin’s been arrested.” The lad said. “He was caught stealing from the folks at the other end of the caravan. Mister Headstrong has him shut up in the wagon.”

Elsa stared at him incredulously. Crispin? Stealing? Why would he do that? Surely he knows it is wrong… She thought about it for a moment, but could make no sense of the matter. Crispin wouldn’t steal, of that she was sure. So what is going on?