"That is all." "How strange!" exclaimed Beatrice.
"It is the truth, Excellency, and to show you that it is the truth here is my seaman's license." He produced a little flat parchment case from his pocket, untied the thong and showed Beatrice the first page on which, was inscribed his name in full.
"Ruggiero of the Children of the King, son of the late Ruggiero, native of Verbicaro, province of Calabria--you see, Excellency.

It is the truth." "I never doubt anything you say, Ruggiero," said Beatrice quietly.
"I thank you, Excellency," answered the sailor, blushing this time with pleasure.

"For this and all your Excellency's kindness." What a man he was she thought, as he stood there before her, bareheaded in the sun-shot shade under the trees, the light playing upon his fair hair and beard, and his blue eyes gleaming like drops from the sea! What boys and dwarfs other men looked beside him! "Do you know how your family came by that strange name, Ruggiero ?" she asked.
"No, Excellency.

But they tell so many silly stories about us in Verbicaro.

That is in Calabria where I and my brother were born.