"But if I give you money for your fare, will you know how to

take care of it--how to prevent people from robbing you?"

"Oh, yes, Excellency."

"You could take the train this evening, at Venzona, about two

kilometres from here, in the direction you are walking. In an

hour or two you would arrive at Milan; there you would change

into the train for Turin. You would be at Turin to-morrow

morning."

"Yes, Excellency."

"But if I give you money, you will not let people rob you? If

I give you a hundred lire?"

The boy drew back, stared, as if frightened.

"A hundred lire--?" he said.

"Yes," said Peter.

The boy looked at his sister.

"Pardon, Nobility," he said. "With your condescension, does it

cost a hundred lire to go to Turin by train?"

"Oh, no. I think it costs eight or ten."

Again the boy looked at his sister.

"Pardon, Nobility. With your Excellency's permission, we

should not desire a hundred lire then," he said.

Peter and the Duchessa were not altogether to be blamed, I

hope, if they exchanged the merest hint of a smile.

"Well, if I should give you fifty?" Peter asked.

"Fifty lire, Excellency?"

Peter nodded.

Still again the boy sought counsel of his sister, with his

eyes.

"Yes, Excellency," he said.

"You are sure you will be able to take care of it--you will not

let people rob you," the Duchessa put in, anxious. "They will

wish to rob you. If you go to sleep in the train, they will

try to pick your pocket."

"I will hide it, noble lady. No one shall rob me. If I go to

sleep in the train, I will sit on it, and my sister will watch.

If she goes to sleep, I will watch," the boy promised

confidently.

"You must give it to him in the smallest change you can

possibly scrape together," she advised Peter.

And with one-lira, two-lira, ten-lira notes, and with a little

silver and copper, he made up the amount.

"A thousand thanks, Excellency," said the boy, with a bow that

was magnificent; and he proceeded to distribute the money

between various obscure pockets.

"A thousand thanks, Excellency," said the girl, with a

courtesy.

"Addio, a buon' viaggio," said Peter.

"Addio, Eccellenze," said the boy.

"Addio, Eccellenze," said the girl.

But the Duchessa impulsively stooped down, and kissed the girl

on her poor little wrinkled brow. And when she stood up, Peter

saw that her eyes were wet.




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