How does that strike you ?" "No one can give such a promise and keep it," said Zorzi, scraping the wet clay from his hands with a blunt knife.
"But suppose that some one could," insisted Giovanni.
"What is the use of supposing the impossible ?" Zorzi shrugged his shoulders and went on scraping.
"Nothing is impossible in the Republic, except what the Ten are resolved to hinder.

And that is really impossible." "The Ten will not make new laws nor repeal old ones for the benefit of an unknown Dalmatian." "Perhaps not," answered Giovanni.

"But on the other hand there is no very great penalty if you set up a furnace of your own.

If you are discovered, your furnace will be put out, and you may have to pay a fine.

It is no great matter.