She followed Beppi to the garden and found Lathrop nailing on the top to a big wooden crate.  From between the slats Garibaldi looked out reproachfully.

Lucia petted and consoled her until it was time to go.

Garibaldi left first in a wagon; she was going all the way by train.  Lucia had many misgivings but she watched the wagon out of sight with a smile.

Her thoughts were soon diverted by the arrival of a big automobile.  Captain Riccardi was helped in by the doctor and Lathrop, and after repeated good-bys Lucia took her place beside him.

The car started off slowly, they were going to take the train at a point several miles south.

Lucia watched the walls of Cellino grow dim against their background of bare mountains.  It was her first departure, and it marked a new period in her life.

CHAPTER XVIII

IN THE GARDEN

“How does my little sister like her new home?”

Captain Riccardi was sitting in a comfortable chair in the warmth and sunshine of his garden.  He looked very much stronger than on his departure from Cellino.  A month under the southern sky had done much to make him well again, and as he sat looking at Lucia he was turning over in his mind the possibility of returning to the front.  Lucia was picking flowers near him, she had a basket over her arm and a big pair of scissors.

Her cheeks, that had been so pale, were flushed and round, and an expression of happy contentment took the place of the excited sparkle in her eyes.

She dropped down on the ground beside the Captain as he spoke, and looked up at him.

“That is the very first time you have asked me that,” she said, “and we have been here for a long time.  You know I think it is very, very wonderful, what could be more beautiful than this garden, but I am getting lazy, the sun is so warm and there is so little to do.”  She looked puzzled.

“That’s quite as it should be,” the Captain replied, “you are too young to work.”

“Oh, that is what you always say,” Lucia protested, “I am too young and Nana is too old, and Beppi—­”

“Beppi is too lazy,” the Captain laughed, “he is always asleep under the flower bushes, but tell me,” he continued gravely, “are you ever homesick?”

“Homesick.”  Lucia considered for a moment, “For Maria, yes, but for Cellino, no.  I like to think of it, but I want always to live here.”

“Good,” the Captain smiled, “then you won’t mind my going away?”

“Back to fight?” Lucia inquired.

The Captain nodded.  “My wound is healed and I am well enough; they need all the men they can get up there, you know.”

“I know,” Lucia looked very unhappy, “what terrible times there have been since we came here; everything has gone wrong.  Why I wonder, our soldiers are as brave as ever.  What has made us lose so much lately?”