The expression on the Vataf’s face did not change, but Valda knew instantly that he was impressed.
Two hundred francs was a lot of money to the gypsies. It was a sum that would take them a long time to earn by working at their portable forge, as they were allowed to do by French law.
An edict of 1735 had declared that it was forbidden ‘to hawk tin or coppersmith’s work without qualification or to take to their own place of residence pieces to be plated and repaired.’
This, as Valda’s stepfather had told her, prevented the gypsies settling as artisan smiths.
On the other hand it offered them the opportunity of working, as they had always done, as itinerant tinsmiths, coppersmiths and metal platers.
Carrying with them a portable forge, the Kalderash moved about the country, their anvil
