'"
"I heard it not; some commission held me at the arsenal; San Marco be
thanked that it is over!"
"Ebbene, old Penelli--gouty so that he can scarce move--hath a visit
from our great mathematician Ghetaldo, who findeth with our magnificent
patron of letters a friar to whom Penelli showeth such honor--limping to
the door with him, as if he were a prince--that Ghetaldo, wrathful at
this foolish waste over a friar, asketh his name with scorn. And is not
better pleased when Penelli telleth that Fra Paolo is the 'miracle of
the age in every science.' 'So, I will prove it,' saith Penelli, 'for
verily the world knoweth the great Ghetaldo for a mathematician! Come,
then, with problems the most difficult thou canst prepare, on a day it
may please thee to name, and meet Fra Paolo at my table, without warning
to him.' _Ecco_! Penelli is subtle; great satisfaction and much labor on
the part of our mathematician. Enter Fra Paolo,--simple,
unadvised,--solves the propositions at a hearing. 'Miraculous!' cries
the superb Ghetaldo, gentle as a lamb! A friendship for life, and Fra
Paolo is the teacher! But it is more wonderful to hear the tales of how
he preacheth to the people here, in the Gesuiti.
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