
[Illustration: Cover art—Lucia Rudini.]
[Frontispiece: "My pet, see how you frightened the brave Austrian soldier"]
BY - MARTHA TRENT
NEW YORK BARSE & HOPKINS PUBLISHERS
DEDICATED TO R. J. U.
LUCIA RUDINI
CHAPTER I - CELLINO
CHAPTER II - MARIA
CHAPTER III - BEFORE DAYBREAK
CHAPTER IV - LOST
In a quiet hill‑top village of Italy, the world trembles with the distant echo of artillery, yet daily life clings to its ordinary rhythms. Lucia Rudini, bright‑eyed and quick‑witted, darts through the meadow to tend her beloved herd, especially the headstrong goat Garibaldi, while coaxing her mischievous brother Beppi into keeping watch. Their banter, flavored with wartime scarcity and the sweet promise of a lone lemon drop, paints a portrait of resilience amid uncertainty.
When Lucia slips away toward a nearby cottage, she carries a secret purpose that hints at more than a simple visit—perhaps a hidden message or a small act of defiance against the occupying forces. As the villagers whisper about soldiers and the looming threat, Lucia’s determination to protect her family and the goats suggests a quiet courage that will shape the days to come. Listeners will be drawn into this intimate snapshot of life, love, and bravery on the Italian front.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (182K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2006-02-02
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Known today mainly for a string of World War I-era girls' novels, this early 20th-century writer created fast-moving stories set in England, Italy, Belgium, and America. Her books were written for young readers and blend wartime drama with courage, friendship, and everyday life.
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