"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. That is all I can tell you."
"You can tell me what colour it is," said Giovanni. "Why are you so
secret? Even if my father had ordered you to be silent with me about his
work, which I do not believe, you would not be betraying anything by
telling me that. What colour is he trying to make?"
"I am to say nothing about it, not even to you.
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