rew 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.

The children moved off. They moved off, whispering together, and
gesticulating, after the manner of their race: discussing something.
Presently they stopped; and the boy came running back, while his sister
waited.

He doffed his hat, and said, "A thousand pardons, Excellency-"

"Yes? What is it?" Peter asked.

"With your Excellency's favour--is it obligatory that we should take the
train?"

"Obligatory?" puzzled Peter. "How do you mean?"

"If it is not obligatory, we would prefer, with the permission of your
Excellency, to save the money."

"But--but then you will have to walk!" cried Peter.

"Bu