“But she is safe, go and see,” Lucia protested, “I have just left her.”

Maria’s mother needed no urging, she ran as fast as her stiff joints would allow towards the hospital.  But she had not gone very far when she returned.

“I am a selfish old woman,” she said, “thinking first of myself, when of course you want news of Nana.  Well, look yonder in that farm wagon.”

Lucia did not wait to hear more.  She darted off and met the wagon before it reached the turn in the road.

“Beppi!  Nana!” she called.

The man who was driving stopped, and Nana slid down from the straw, right into Lucia’s waiting arms.  She was so glad to see her, that she could only babble foolishly.  All during her long journey, and her stay in strange villages, she had thought of nothing but Lucia in the hands of the enemy, and she was nearly crazy with relief and joy to find her safe again.

At last Lucia quieted her.  “Where is Beppino?” she asked, “surely he is with you?”

Something in the straw of the wagon moved, and the old driver pointed his whip at a mop of black hair, and laughed.

Beppi was asleep of course.  Lucia’s strong young arms lifted his little body out, and hugged and kissed him.  Beppi woke up, and at sight of her he shouted with joy.

It was a happy and excited family that walked through the town and down to the little white cottage.

Lucia had so much to say, and Nana would not listen nor believe all the wonderful things she tried to tell her, but at last, from lack of breath, she stopped exclaiming and crying, and Lucia pushed her gently onto the green bed, took Beppi on her lap, and began the recital of her wonderful news in earnest.

CHAPTER XVI

THE KING

“The King!  The King!”

“Viva!  Viva!” A great cry rose within the walls of Cellino, and swelled to a mighty cheer, as a gray automobile drove slowly through the Porto Romano, and stopped in the market-place opposite the town hall.

The soldiers who had so bravely defended the town were lined up ready for inspection, and as the King lifted his hand to salute the colors, a silence, as profound and as moving as the cheer had been, fell over the crowd.

Lucia, with Beppi held tightly by the hand, was on the edge of the crowd.  She trembled with excitement as she looked at the greatest, and best-loved man in all Italy.

“See!” she whispered excitedly to Beppi, “that is the King—­our King!  Look at him well, for we may never be lucky enough to see him again in our whole lives.”

Beppi’s big eyes were round with wonder.  He looked.  His gaze fastened on the shining sword.  Then the memory that he might some day be a General returned to him, and he drew himself up very straight.  As the King passed on his inspection, his little hand went up in a smart salute.