Part 21

“How much ought one to give them?” Peter asked.

“Of course, there is the fear that they might be robbed,” she reflected. “If one should give them a note of any value, they would have to change it; and they would probably be robbed. What to do?”

“I will speak to the boy,” said Peter. “Would you like to go to Turin by train?” he asked.

The boy and girl looked at each other. “Yes, Excellency,” said the boy.

“But if I give you money for your fare, will you know how to take care of it--how to prevent people from robbing you?”

“Oh, yes, Excellency.”

“You could take the train this evening, at Venzona, about two kilometres from here, in the direction you are walking. In an hour or two you would arrive at Milan; there you would change into the train for Turin. You would be at Turin to-morrow morning.”

“Yes, Excellency.”

“But if I give you money, you will not let people rob you? If I give you a hundred lire?”

The boy drew 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.