The Duchessa, however, had not bargained for an answer of this measure. Startled, doubting her ears perhaps, “To—Turin—!” she exclaimed.
“Yes, Excellency,” said the boy.
“But—but Turin—Turin is hundreds of kilometres from here,” she said, in a kind of gasp.
“Yes, Excellency,” said the boy.
“You are going to Turin—you two children—walking—like that!” she persisted.
“Yes, Excellency.”
“But—but it will take you a month.”
“Pardon, noble lady,” said the boy. “With your Excellency's permission, we were told it should take fifteen days.”
“Where do you come from?” she asked.
“From Bergamo, Excellency.”