McCormick was fascinated by the German Gypsies but not everyone in Newton Stewart shared his enthusiasm.
Of course their visit produced the usual furore. Doors were bolted, and cannie shopkeepers either blocked the entrance to their shops with their own manly forms, or, deeming discretion the better part of valor, put the key of the door in their pockets, and stood on the footpath feigning that they had no connection with the shop.
