Then, bowing again, and moving her eyes modestly toward each, she added, ‘with permission!’ and left the chamber.
‘About the sposina,’ after a pause began Ser Francesco: ‘about the sposina, I do not see the matter clearly.’
‘You have studied too much for seeing all things clearly,’ answered Ser Giovanni; ‘you see only the greatest. In fine, the devil, on this count, is acquitted by acclamation; and the paroco Snello eats lettuce and chicory up yonder at Laverna. He has mendicant friars for his society every day; and snails, as pure as water can wash and boil them, for his repast on festivals. Under this discipline, if they keep it up, surely one devil out of legion will depart from him.’
FOOTNOTES:
[15] Literally, due fave, the expression on such occasions to signify a small quantity.
[16] Contraction of signor, customary in Tuscany.
FOURTH DAY’S INTERVIEW
Petrarca. Giovanni, you are unsuspicious, and would scarcely see a monster in a minotaur. It is well, however, to draw good out of evil, and it is the peculiar gift of an elevated mind. Nevertheless, you must have observed, although with greater curiosity than concern, the slipperiness and tortuousness of your detractors.
Boccaccio. Whatever they detract from me, they leave more than they can carry away. Beside, they always are detected.