"Perhaps you could try and get Paolo's commissions away from me, and then set up a studio for yourself; but I doubt whether you could succeed.

I am not old yet, nor blind, nor shaky, thank God!" "I did not catch the last words," said Gianbattista, hiding his smile over his work.
"I said I was not old, nor broken down yet, thanks to my strength," growled the chiseller; "you will not steal my commissions yet awhile.
What is the matter with you to-day?
You find fault with half I say, and the other half you do not hear at all.

You seem to have lost your head, Tista.

Be steady over those acanthus leaves; everybody thinks an acanthus leaf is the easiest thing in the world, whereas it is one of the most difficult before you get to figures.

Most chisellers seem to copy their acanthus leaves from the cabbage in their soup.