Lucia Rudini: Somewhere in Italy

eral years older than Lucia, who ladled out cupfuls of the milk that the crocks contained, and gave them, always accompanied by a shy little smi

o be diverted, for Maria's delicate charms seemed pale beside Lucia's southern beauty, and in the same manne

d Nana and Beppi and herself. There was considerable disapproval over her decision, but as was generally the case, Lucia had her own way. Her method of wage-earning was a simple one. Her father had

wn, where her aunt sold them at her little stall along with chee

is morning?" Lucia asked incredul

ate. We have had a great day, so many soldiers, it is a shame that you cannot bring in more, for we could sell it. Just see, we had to send

s to graze," Lucia replied. She put her hands on her hips and swayed back and forth as she talked.

ome, we are so busy-see, here come a group of soldiers all together. Will you hel

price for this milk which is

it is only your silly pride," her aunt scolded. She was a little in

t do the best we can," she said meaningl

"I can bring no more than I bring," she said, an

ats, but she had enough sense to know that the supply of milk does not dwindle t

illiantly-colored bandana that she wore tied over her head, were added attractions to

soldiers came and ch

k was emptied, and they set about preparing to return home

am tired," her mother replied cross

y closing the

oats run away-he and his dreams. He is a lazy little one, but I ca

am, but if you are not carefu

inging him up properly, but little good it does. Now we are ready, I will help you ca

prepare the dinner. I suppose you have some secrets between yo

laughing, as she picked up the greate

of the many lines of wash that floated from its windows, it still retained enough of its old grandeur to be an interesting spot to the occasional tourist who visited Cellino. Maria and her mo

a made haste to drop what they were carrying and start off again at a much slower pace for the gate. The sun was low in the west. It was

ook of those clouds," she said, a re

banging of guns one would think it would rain

not unkindly. "It will do you no good, and it will

hings. "Only this morning I sold milk to such a sweet boy from the south. He had great sad, brown eyes lik

nyway, he will get a chance to do a little killing first, an

be killed either. It is all too terrible to think about, and you are an unnatural girl to talk as you do. Why, I don't believe

ind flew back over the past year, and she saw herself with her face buried in the grass and her hands clenched, and remem

," she replied ruefully to Maria's cha

o any good," Mari

than tears," Luci

vent just outside the Porto Romano, and who came to town to take care of the sick and cheer the broken-hearted. When they reached the north gate Lucia

excitedly, "That is the boy I was jus

h to be overheard, and her eyes sparkled with mischief as she a

ittle beyond the wall, but I am not

ot like to be made fun of, particu

he said

ughed pr

in the morning, there is so much to do, you know, but I will bring as much milk as possible," sh

g to have doubts of the superiority of Southern beauty over the Northern, particularly when a gentle spirit was added to the charm of the latter. Lucia did not know she was the subject of their talk. Sh