Lucia Rudini Part 19

Beppi was delighted, and Lucia helped him on with it as he danced and hopped, first on one foot and then to the other.

"I'm a sailor," he announced, "a real sailor! See the bands on my arm."

"Fickle one," Lucia protested as she tied the flaring red tie, with loving fingers, "I thought you were going to be a soldier like our Captain."

Beppi thrust his small hands in his trouser pockets.

"I am when I grow up," he replied seriously, "but I can be a sailor in the meantime, can't I?"

"Yes, of course," Lucia agreed, "and now put on your shoes, dear, it must be late, and it would never do to keep the Captain waiting."

"Go and dress yourself then," Nana said, "and don't make yourself look too gay, it is not seemly."

Lucia tossed her head and laughed.

"Ah, but I will, my new bodice is so beautiful; all bright flowers, and my skirt is blue--I know the Captain will like it--and we are going to the South where all the girls wear bright colors--I expect my dress will look very somber."

Nana did not reply, she grumbled a little to herself, and Lucia pulled out the drawer of the dresser and very carefully took out her new possessions. She put them on slowly as if to prolong the pleasure.

"When she was ready she looked at as much of herself as she could see in the small mirror, and smiled happily.

"I look very nice, I think," she said frankly.

"Then we are ready," Nana exclaimed, getting up, "we had better start up the hill."

"Yes, do let's go," Beppi insisted, "I know we are going to be late."

"Oh, but we have plenty of time," Lucia replied. "Go along both of you, I will follow with Garibaldi."

"Such foolishness," Nana grumbled, "to take a goat in a train; there are many goats in the South. Why don't you wait until you get there and leave Garibaldi to Maria with the rest?"

Lucia looked at her grandmother in consternation, but she did not stop to argue with her. She left the house and went to the shed; repaired now enough to make a shelter to keep out the rain.

Garibaldi was firmly tied to one of the posts.

"Come, my pet," Lucia whispered, "we are going away and I have a ribbon for your neck, see?"

"Now come," she coaxed, "we must go up to the convent, that nice American Mr. Lathrop is going to put you in a box. You won't like it, poor dear, but it's the only way they let goats travel."

Garibaldi seemed to understand something of the importance of the occasion, for she walked along beside her little mistress with lowered head.

Lucia waited until Nana and Beppi had disappeared through the gate before she started. She knew there was plenty of time and she wanted to be alone.

She stood in the doorway of the cottage and looked at the poor, tumbled little room. She felt suddenly very forlorn and lonely.

"Good-by, little room," she said softly, "I will never, never forget you. It isn't as if you were going very far away from me for we have given you to Maria, she and Roderigo will take good care of you, and some day perhaps I will come back for a tiny visit," she said.

A plaintive "Naa" from Garibaldi made her turn. As she left the room her eyes lingered on the green bed.

Captain Riccardi was sitting up, fully dressed, and waiting for them in the garden of the convent.

At sight of Lucia his eyes danced with fun.

"Well, little sister of mine, how are you?" he greeted.

"Oh, I am so excited, Senor," Lucia replied. "Is it nearly time to go?"

"No, not for a couple of hours," the Captain laughed.

"Are we really going in an automobile?" Beppi demanded, "like the one the King came in?"

"Yes, just like that, and then we go in a train for a long time," the Captain explained.

"Do we _sleep_ in the train?" Beppi's eyes were as round as saucers.

"No," the Captain shook his head, "we sleep in a lovely house that belongs to a friend of mine in Rome."

Beppi tried to be polite but Captain Riccardi saw the disappointment in his eyes, and patted his small head.

"Are you sorry?" he laughed.

"Oh, no, he is not," Lucia contradicted hastily, "he will like sleeping in Rome, won't you, my pet?"

Beppi hung his head. "I will like it," he admitted, "but it will not be as exciting as sleeping on a train."

"No, of course it won't, but it will be lots more comfortable, and you see I have to think of that," the Captain explained, "but I promise you some day we will sleep in a train, and on a boat, or any old place you like, how's that?"

"I will tell you afterwards," Beppi replied noncommittally.

"I must go and find Maria," Lucia said, "I have not told her half the things I want to. She won't take proper care of my goats, I know, but no matter, I will do my best to tell her what to do."

She went into the convent. Maria was busy in the ward, but at Lucia's beckon she left what she was doing and went to her.

"Come over by Roderigo's bed," Lucia said, "we have only a little time to talk before we leave."

"Oh, but you must be excited!" Maria exclaimed.

"Look at her eyes," Roderigo laughed, "of course she is."

"Well, and why not," Lucia demanded, "wouldn't you be?" Roderigo s.h.i.+vered.

"If I were going this day, back to Napoli, I would die from joy," he said.

"Nonsense, that's what Lucia said about the King's speaking to her,"

Maria reminded, "but she's still alive, and the King not only spoke to her but kissed her too."

"Do you know," Lucia said quietly, "sometimes I think perhaps I am dead and this is Heaven."