"Never mind that, Maestro Pane."
"My heart is not wanting, but heart isn't enough. Well, when you're Doctor of Laws I'll make you a writing desk. I've got the pattern!"
He looked up a furniture catalogue and showed a splendid bureau with columns and carving.
"You think I can't do it? You don't know Maestro Pane. If I've not made much precious and expensive furniture it's only because I lack capital. It will be well done."
"I'm sure it will, and when I'm a doctor and a rich man I'll have you to make all the furniture of my palace."
"Will you really?" cried the old hunchback, delighted. "In how many years will it be?"
"That I can't tell you. Ten perhaps, or fifteen."
"Too long. I shall be in heaven by that time. In the workshop of the glorious St Joseph." (He crossed himself.)
"And tell me, what does this catalogue mean by furniture Lui-gi-de-ci-mo-quart-o," (Louis XIV.) he asked reading in syllables.
"He was a king," began Anania.