But what were those stories they told about you in Verbicaro ?" "Silly stories, Excellency.

They say that once upon a time King Roger came riding by with all his army and many knights; and all armed because there was war.

And he took Verbicaro from the Turks and gave it to a son of his who was called the Son of the King, as I would give Bastianello half a cigar or a pipe of tobacco in the morning--it is true he always has his own--and so the Son of the King stayed in that place and lived there, and I have heard old men say that when their fathers--who were also old, Excellency--were boys, many houses in Verbicaro belonged to the Children of the King.

But then they ate everything and we have had nothing but these two hands and these two arms and now we go about seeking to eat.

But thanks to Heaven--and to-day is Saturday--we have been able to work enough.