"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.