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Updated: June 25, 2025
Lucia went back into the house, but the spacious rooms and high ceilings only added to her unhappiness. She almost longed for the comfort of the tiny old cottage and the familiar sight of the green bed. She wandered about listlessly; she was quite alone. Nana had gone back to her lace making, and Beppi was in the garden. The old man and his wife the Captain's faithful servants were in the kitchen.
He got up from his chair and started to walk toward the house. When he was halfway up the path Beppi dashed through the garden gate and ran to him. "Oh, but I have had a fine morning," he declared, "you will never guess where I have been." "You do look excited," the Captain smiled, "it must have been a very nice place, tell us about it."
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.
Lucia sat down again and watched the door of the Captain's dugout. She had wondered all day what the smiling Italian soldier and Beppi had done after she left. She knew that Beppi could easily find his way back to the cottage, and in case Nana had already gone, and Lucia knew that in spite of her threats she would not go off alone, he would go into the town and some one would take care of him.
Fear got the better of her, and in an agony of mind she imagined every possible harm to Beppi. But she was not allowed to stay long in that state of mind, for suddenly the guns broke into a terrible roar. The air was black with smoke and the house trembled and rocked under her. She jumped up and ran to the window.
But come now, I have something far better than dreams for you," she coaxed. "What?" Beppi was on his feet in an instant, and the sleepy look completely disappeared. "Ha, ha, now you are curious," Lucia teased, "aren't you? Well, you shan't see what I have, until you promise to do what I ask." Beppi's round eyes narrowed, and a cunning expression appeared in their velvety depth.
"Back to fight," the Captain replied, "and perhaps I shall be gone for a long, long time, and of course, while I am gone I shall expect you to take care of your sister." "Oh, Lucia can take care of herself," Beppi laughed, "she always has, and of Nana and me, too, but I'll be good if you say so, only can't I go down to the shore once in a while?"
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 "
In her relief Lucia laughed excitedly. "Beppi, Beppi, where are you?" she shouted, and waited eagerly for a reply, but none came. She looked puzzled and then Garibaldi answered her: "Naa! Naa!" The sound came from directly over her head, and she climbed up the steep rock as fast as she could. Garibaldi was standing at the opening of a cave. Lucia ran to her. "Oh, my pet, I have found you at last.
You must all be good to-day, and Garibaldi, I don't want you to go running away if I have to leave you with Beppi," she continued. "You're nothing but goats, of course, but you know perfectly well that we are at war, and that you are very important, and must do your part. Stop it, Miss, none of your pranks, I'm in a hurry," she chided the refractory Esther for an attempt at playfulness.
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