Lucia was still tongue-tied. She swallowed hard and tried to stop her heart from beating so fast.
"Yes, yes, sir—Your Majesty," she said at last. "I and Garibaldi."
"Garibaldi?" The King could not restrain a smile.
"The goat, sir," the Captain explained.
"Oh, I see, and what did you say his name was?"
"Garibaldi's a her, Your Majesty, and so she had to be Señora Garibaldi."
Lucia was fast forgetting her embarrassment.
"'The Illustrious and Gentile Señora Guiseppi Garibaldi,' that's her real name, but of course, it's too long for every day."
"Yes, I should suppose so, particularly if you were in a hurry," the King laughed softly.
"Was that Señora Garibaldi that we came nearly running over?" he asked.