“There now!” she exclaimed when it was on and Nana’s stringy gray hair had been reduced to some sort of order.

“Turn around and let me see you.”

Nana turned.  She was in a flutter of excitement, although she would not have admitted it for the world.

“Don’t waste any more time over an old woman,” she said, sharply.  “I am tidy and that is enough.”

“You are more than tidy, Nana, you look beautiful,” Lucia exclaimed.  “Now do sit still and don’t do anything.”

“There’s nothing to be done that has not already been done,” Nana replied as she sat on the edge of the green bed and folded her hands on her lap.  Lucia nodded in satisfaction and turned her attention to Beppi.

He had a new suit too, and the broad sailor collar on it was embroidered with emblems and stars.

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.