It was a very windy day, with showers now and then; but it was bracing too, especially on this very high road, hundreds of feet above the sea-level.
Robert pointed out how straight it was, and told them it was made by the Romans eighteen hundred years ago, and it ran right through Cirencester (which they called Corinium) to Speen (which they called Spinae).

Its name was then Ermin Street.

And it amused the children to imagine they too were Romans clanking along this fine highway.
It was after lunch that they came upon an old woman--sitting beside the road just beyond Tredington.

Long before they reached her they heard her moaning and groaning.
"What is it ?" Janet asked.
The old woman moaned and groaned.
"Are you ill ?" Janet asked.
The old woman groaned and moaned.
"Kinky," said Janet, "come and see if we can help her." Kink murmured to himself and came to her.
"What's up, missis ?" he asked.
"It's my poor heart," said the old woman with an Irish brogue.

"I'm very queer.