t is the King."

They ran to the gate and questioned some of the soldiers.

"More refugees returning," one of them explained. "See there's a whole
line of them, it is a good sight, and a good time that they have
chosen. Now we will not look so like a deserted place when the King
comes."

"Oh, perhaps some of them can give me news of Beppino," Lucia
exclaimed, forcing her way through the crowd.

Almost the first person she saw as she ran down the road was Maria's
mother. She was walking along beside several other women, and with a
start Lucia realized that she looked thin and wan.

"Aunt Rudini!" she called excitedly, "you are back at last. Oh, Maria
will be so glad!"

Senora Rudini looked up, fear and hope in her eyes.

"Maria!" she exclaimed, "where is she?"

"At the convent. She is helping to nurse the soldiers," Lucia replied.

"Oh, and I thought she was dead or a prisoner. She lay down beside me
one night, and the next morning she was gone; I have been terrified."
The old woman was wringing her hands.

"But she is safe, go and see," Lucia protested, "I have just left her."

Maria's mother needed no urging, she ran as fast as her stiff joints
would allow towards the hospital. But she had not gone very far when
she returned.

"I am a selfish old woman," she said, "thinking first of myself, when
of course you want news of Nana. Well, look yonder in that farm wagon."

Lucia did not wait to hear more. She darted off and met the wagon
before it reached the turn in the road.

"Beppi! Nana!" she called.

The man who was driving stopped, and Nana slid down from the straw,
right into Lucia's waiting arms. She was so glad to see her, that she
could only babble foolishly. All during her long journey, and her stay
in strange villages, she had thought of nothing but Lucia in the hands
of the enemy, and she was nearly crazy with relief and joy to find her
safe again.

At last Lucia quieted her. "Where is Beppino?" she asked, "surely he
is with you?"

Something in the straw of the wagon moved, and the old driver pointed
his whip at a mop of black hair, and laughed.

Beppi was asleep of course. Lucia's strong young arms lifted his
little body out, and hugged and kissed him. Beppi woke up, and at
sight of her he shouted with joy.

It was a happy and excited family that walked through the town and down
to the little white cottage.

Lucia had so much to say, and Nana would not listen nor believe