"Yes. That is true. I will take the money, sir, and you may choose any of the pieces you like. When the master comes, I will tell him, and if I have no right to the price he shall keep it himself."
"Do you really suppose that my father would be mean enough to take the money?" asked Giovanni, who would certainly have taken it himself under the circumstances.
"No. He is very generous. Nevertheless, I shall certainly tell him the whole story."
"That is your affair. I have nothing to say about it. Here is the money, for which I will take the beaker I saw you finishing when I came in. Is it enough? Is it a fair price?"
"It is a very good price," Zorzi answered. "But there may be a piece among those in the oven which you will like better. Will you not come to-morrow, when they are all annealed, and make your choice?"
"No. I have fallen in love with the piece I saw you making."
"Very well. You shall have it, and many thanks."
"Here is the money, and thanks to you," said Giovanni, holding out the little piece of gold.
"You shall pay me when you take the beaker," objected Zorzi. "It may fly, or turn out badly."
"No, no!" answered Giovanni, rising, and putting the money into Zorzi's hand. "If anything happens to it, I will take another. I am afraid that you may change your mind, you see, and I am very anxious to have such a beautiful thing."