"No, not for a couple of hours," the Captain laughed.
"Are we really going in an automobile?" Beppi demanded, "like the one the King came in?"
"Yes, just like that, and then we go in a train for a long time," the Captain explained.
"Do we sleep in the train?" Beppi's eyes were as round as saucers.
"No," the Captain shook his head, "we sleep in a lovely house that belongs to a friend of mine in Rome."
Beppi tried to be polite but Captain Riccardi saw the disappointment in his eyes, and patted his small head.
"Are you sorry?" he laughed.
"Oh, no, he is not," Lucia contradicted hastily, "he will like sleeping in Rome, won't you, my pet?"
Beppi hung his head. "I will like it," he admitted, "but it will not be as exciting as sleeping on a train."
"No, of course it won't, but it will be lots more comfortable, and you see I have to think of that," the Captain explained, "but I promise you some day we will sleep in a train, and on a boat, or any old place you like, how's that?"