Gerard bowed, and smiled; but hesitated a little. "I may not call myself a painter. I am a writer, a caligraph. I copy Greek and Latin manuscripts, when I can get them to copy."
"And you call that an artist?"
"Without offense to your superior merit, Signor Pietro."
"No offence, stranger, none. Only, me seemeth an artist is one who thinks and paints his thought. Now a caligraph but draws in black and white the thoughts of another."
"'Tis well distinguished, signor. But then, a writer can write the thoughts of the great ancients, and matters of pure reason, such as no man may paint: ay, and the thoughts of God, which angels could not paint. But let that pass. I am a painter as well; but a sorry one."
"The better thy luck. They will buy thy work in Rome."
"But seeking to commend myself to one of thy eminence, I thought it well rather to call myself a capable writer than a scurvy painter."
At this moment a step was heard on the stair.
"Ah! 'tis the good dame," cried Gerard. "What ho! hostess, I am here in conversation with Signor Pietro. I dare say he will let me have my humble dinner here."
The Italian bowed gravely.