arply. "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 s