"No, Excellency. The people would not buy," he owned, in a
dull voice, keeping his eyes down.

"Poverino," she murmured. "Where are you going to sleep
to-night?"

"In a house, Excellency," said he.

But that seemed to strike the Duchessa as somewhat vague.

"In what house?" she asked.

"I do not know, Excellency," he confessed. "We will find a
house."

"Would you like to come back with me, and sleep at my house?"

The boy and girl looked at each other, taking mute counsel.

Then, "Pardon, noble lady--with your Excellency's permission,
is it far?" the boy questioned.

"I am afraid it is not very near--three or four kilometres."

Again the children looked at each other, conferring.
Afterwards, the boy shook his head.

"A thousand thanks, Excellency. With your permission, we must
not turn back. We must walk on till later. At night we will
find a house."