"It is not enough that you thwart me at every turn, but you come here to mock me, to make a figure of me! Take care, Paolo, take care! You may go too far." "I would not advise you to go too far, Sor Marzio," put in Gianbattista, turning half round on his stool.
"Cannot I speak without being interrupted?
Go on with your work, Tista, and let us talk this matter out.

I tell you, Paolo, that I do not want your advice, and that I have had far too much of your interference.

I will inquire into this matter, so far as it concerns the law, and I will show you that I am right, in spite of all your surmises and prophecies.
A man is master in his own house and must remain so, whatever laws are made.

There is no law which can force a man to submit to the dictation of his brother--even if his brother is a priest." Marzio spoke more calmly than he had done hitherto, in spite of the sneer in the last sentence.

He had broken down, and he felt that Paolo and Gianbattista were too much for him.