"Do none of the workmen come here ?" "The master has left me in charge of his work," answered Zorzi.

"I need no help." Giovanni seated himself in his father's chair and looked at the table before the window.
"It is not very hard work, I fancy," he observed, crossing one leg over the other and pulling up his black hose to make it fit his lean calf better.
Zorzi suspected at once that he had come in search of information, and paused before answering.
"The work needs careful attention," he said at last.
"Most glass-work does," observed Giovanni, with a harsh little laugh.
"Are you very attentive, then?
Do you remember to do all that my father told you ?" "The master only left this morning.

So far, I have obeyed his orders." "I do not understand how a man who is not a glass-blower can know enough to be left alone in charge of a furnace," said Giovanni, looking at Zorzi's profile.
This time Zorzi was silent.

He did not think it necessary to tell how much he knew.
"I suppose my father knows what he is about," continued Giovanni, in a tone of disapproval.
Zorzi thought so too, and no reply seemed necessary.

He stood still, looking out of the window, and wishing that his visitor would go away.
But Giovanni had no such intention.
"What are you making ?" he asked presently.
"A certain kind of glass," Zorzi answered.
"A new colour ?" "A certain colour.