The Lens and the Looker (Book #1 of The Verona Trilogy)

  When Hansum presented the Master with two boys, Agistino said he thought he would have more to choose from. Since they needed two apprentices and he was only being given two to choose from, there was no choice at all. When Hansum reassured him these were the best, Agistino laughed. Everything made him happy lately.

  Pan was doubly pleased with Lincoln's progress. He had appeared the most immature — after all, he was the youngest. But when it fell to him to keep the shop organized, he rose to the occasion. When the Master or Hansum came through the door, all they had to do was grind and polish lenses. There were always many dops waiting, loaded and ready. Supplies were always where they should be and grit always plentiful. And for some odd reason, Lincoln's worst fault, his short temper and impatience, seemed to disappear when he took charge of the two younger apprentices. Within a week, he had Pippo and Benicio knowing their chores and fairly adept at assisting the Master and Hansum with the proper tools and grits. Lincoln also started making the notations in Agistino's ledger, and he learned the Master's secret hiding place for the strong box.

  Pan was ensconced in Lincoln's hood, watching everyone sit down for morning dinner. The Master was laughing and joking with everyone. The only one not present was Ugilino. He was out selling discs for the eyes at the market and doing a very good job.

  "Really, really, really?" Pippo, the new apprentice screeched in his high nine-year-old voice to Benicio. The two boys were bouncing up and down on their own little bench at the end of the dining table.

  "What's all this foolishness?" the Master asked in mock testiness.

  "Oh, Master, Master," Pippo squealed happily. "Maruccio promised if we did good till the end of the week, he would teach us to read and write!"

  "Yes, and why not?" the Master replied, smiling at Lincoln.

  The door opened and in walked Ugilino. He was resplendent in new clothes, including a jaunty green hat, and different strengths of spectacles hung by threads all over his red jacket.

  "I sold four more discs for the eyes this morning, Master. Four," he announced even before the door was closed. And I have a special order for Patchouli, the wort merchant. Brother Romero," Ugilino called, "make a note to create middle-strength lenses in tortoiseshell frames. Tortoiseshell. Ya got that?" he asked importantly.

  "Si, Signor Head Salesman," Hansum said with humor.

  Pan was pleased that Ugilino and Hansum were getting along now.

  "Tortoiseshell frames?" the Signora exclaimed. "I didn't know there was so much money in wort."

  Ugilino also was carrying some beets and turnips by their long green and purple tops. He went over to Guilietta and handed them to her.

  "Here Guilietta, Master Satore sent these. Did you hear how many more discs for the eyes I sold?"

  "Thank you, Ugilino," she said smiling and looking him right in the eye. "Si, you are doing marvelously. I am very impressed. And I like your new hat." She reached up and cocked the hat at a rakish angle. Ugilino blushed vividly and took his seat. He didn't see Shamira and Guilietta smile knowingly at each other or Guilietta wink at Hansum.

  The Master clapped his hands.

  "Okay, everybody, let us sit and eat. Girls, bring over our wonderful bounty. Let us give thanks to God and say our prayers for Father Aaron, who sits shining at the side of Jesus in Heaven." He could now say this and not cry.

  "Life is good!" the Signora said.

  ***

  "My life stinks!" Feltrino said out loud. His voice echoed in the dark room under the palace. He couldn't call it a cell, because it did have a window and he even had a bed. But the window was high up on the wall and faced another wall not more than an arm's length away. His bed had only a thin blanket, but he knew that the other rooms in this prison had neither beds nor blankets. This was the room for nobles, so that at least made him feel special. But he was still in his same clothes, hadn't washed for what must be close to three weeks, and the food was always cold. Except for the time the Baron took him up to his office for questioning. He had rabbit stew that day. That's when he saw that damned apprentice.

  "I understand that you left home on bad terms with your father," the Baron said to Feltrino. "Also he had no idea where you went. Word comes that he still has no idea. So sad when fathers and sons don't see eye to eye, but all too common. One day you will both have feelings of love for each other, I'm sure."

  "So, you're going to let me go?" Feltrino had asked.

  "Not yet, Excellency. Not yet. And since your father has no idea where you are, I think we can keep you here a bit longer."

  So, Feltrino was still locked up, and all because he couldn't get that girl out of his mind. "That beautiful bitch," Feltrino said out loud. This had been the longest Feltrino had been without a woman in several years, so the thought of Guilietta made him smile even now.

  "Feltrino, Feltrino, my sweet," a woman's voice said through the bars on his locked door.

  "Veronica?" Feltrino said, jumping up.

  "Si, it's me, with your food."

  Veronica was the cook's helper who had brought Feltrino his meals since he had arrived. As she put Feltrino's plate through his slot in his cell door, he reached into the opening and grabbed her wrists. Her eyes widened in surprise, looking at him through the bars. Then she smiled.

  "I've missed you," she said.

  "And I you, my beautiful Veronica."

  "Do you really think I'm beautiful?" she asked. Feltrino cocked his head and smiled at her.

  "You are the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. Sweet Veronica. Sweet, sweet Veronica. My father would be proud to have you as a daughter-in-law."

  Chapter 62

  "Tell the Master we have another improved lathe design to show him after supper," Pan advised Hansum. As Hansum did so, Pan watched Agistino's curiosity become so piqued that he couldn't wait till the end of the workday.

  "Yet another design? Show me now," he said getting off of his work stool. Hansum got the new drawings from Shamira and rolled them out on a table. Everyone stopped working to see Master della Cappa's reaction. It was actually Hansum's idea this time, not Pan's. He thought of it when he visited the miller da Barletto.

  "I was thinking what it would be like to run many lathes off a water wheel. It would save many sore legs," he had told Pan while rubbing his own thigh.

  "Ah, inspiration coming from one's own perspiration," Pan had replied.

  Hansum explained to the Master how, much like a flour mill, a water wheel would turn a drive shaft that came into the work place. Along the length of the shaft, any number of lensmaking lathes could be set up, but the drawing only showed one lathe.

  "Now you've gone too far, Romero," Agistino said laughing. "Running a small machine from a huge water wheel? It's ludicrous."

  "No, you could run many lathes off the one drive wheel, Master. And the gears, here, would create a constant speed," he said pointing to a detail. "The leather belt around the drive shaft can be tightened or loosened to engage the spindle of the lathe. The operator uses no strength to spin the dop. He just concentrates on his shaping and polishing. And see, you can make the drive shaft as long as you want and run as many machines as you can afford off of it. Maybe six."

  "Six machines? The lathe man doesn't have to power it himself? Unimaginable," the Master scoffed .

  "Maybe not even a lathe man," Hansum added brightly. "If the spindle is turned by water power, the operator doesn't have to be so strong. Perhaps we could train women too. They are much more patient and often do a better job on fine detail than men."

  "Now I know you've gone crazy," the Master laughed. "A woman shaping lenses."

  "Why not, Father?" Guilietta asked. "You say Carmella and I do neater and faster work than most men setting the lenses?"

  "Yeah!" Shamira agreed.

  "Soon you will say it's the men who should have the bambinos!" Agistino laughed. "Okay, enough. Everyone back to work." Agistino sat back at his lathe and began polishing again. But after a few minutes, Pan noticed Ag
istino stop grinding. "Women polishing lenses," he muttered to himself. "Ridiculous." Then he smiled broadly. "I wouldn't have to pay them as much."

  Chapter 63

  While everybody in the house was very happy, it could be said that Ugilino was the happiest. After all, he was the one who had gained the most. When at church or walking through the streets, people no longer scowled at him. Men nodded and smiled when he walked by, they didn't laugh or spit in his path. Some called his name or even came to shake his hand. And women no longer turned their heads away when his gaze fell on them. He noticed that some, in fact, held their gaze on him till they caught his eye. And lately a few men even brought their daughters up in conversation. But Ugilino didn't want any of them. Oh, he looked and fantasized about them, but he didn't want to marry them.

  That's why, one Sabbath afternoon, Ugilino stopped at the city well and gave his face a thorough washing. He wet and slicked his hair, organizing the mop of tight waves with a new comb he stole. Then he put his new green cap back on at that same rakish angle Guilietta had tilted it to the other day. He even attempted to scrape the dirt from beneath his fingernails. The self-perceived dandy then strode back to the house of della Cappa. As he neared his street, a royal carriage passed him. It got to the house just before Ugilino, and he saw Baron da Pontremoli step out of it. Shamira, who was sitting on the step drawing, got up to greet him. She was showing him her work when the Master's head popped out of the door. He bowed over and over again, and then the two men entered the house. Ugilino got to the door just as Shamira was finished putting her supplies back in the drawing satchel.

  "Have you seen Guilietta?" Ugilino asked.

  "She's in the workshop setting lenses," Shamira answered.

  "Carmella," the Master's voice called. "Come serve wine to the Baron. Quickly."

  As Shamira entered the house, Ugilino, mouth freshly vinegared, strode off to the shop.

  ***

  "Master della Cappa, I bring news," Baron da Pontremoli said seriously. He had seated himself at the bench, while the Master, Hansum and Lincoln stood at the end of the table. Shamira was getting the wine.

  "What could be the matter that you come in person?" Agistino said with concern.

  "What?" the Baron said. Then he laughed. "No, Agistino, nothing bad has happened. I bring good news. Only good news. Sit down. Please."

  Agistino sighed deeply. "Carmella, pour the wine for our guest, and you-know-what for me. Grazie. Good girl."

  "Master della Cappa," the Baron started, then he looked at Hansum and motioned for him to sit too. "We have wonderful news that requires some preparation on both your parts. His Excellency, Podesta della Scalla, has sent word that our lookers have received a very good welcome from the first of our German allies. What do you think about that?"

  "Good news indeed, Excellency. We have been working very hard to prepare. Romero has become very proficient at polishing lenses. Maruccio, well, you know he has my shop under control. We have two new apprentices and both girls set lenses now. If we are favored with an unbelievable order of five hundred lookers, we will not fail you."

  "Oh no, Master della Cappa. Not five hundred."

  "Ah. Well, no matter. A hundred would be just as welcome," Agistino said, nonchalantly lifting up his verjuice to take a sip.

  "You misunderstand, Master della Cappa. Not one hundred." Agistino looked confused. Baron da Pontremoli smiled again. "One thousand."

  Agistino's hand began to tremble. Verjuice sprayed from the cup. Hansum lunged over to steady it, then gently took it away.

  "One thousand?" the Master gasped.

  "Perhaps more," da Pontremoli said. "Our master has not yet visited King Karl. We shall see what his response will be."

  The Master crossed himself three times. He tried to speak, but failed. Hansum, Shamira and Lincoln smiled broadly.

  "This is indeed good news, Excellency," Hansum said.

  "Yes, but the reason I am here is to get your assurances that you can deliver. Truly deliver. A noble is like any other man. His word must be good. My job is to make sure that our prince can keep his word. So I ask you, quite seriously, can you deliver such quantities?"

  Agistino became very still. He gulped, staring at the Baron. Then, without taking his eyes from the nobleman, said, "Romero, bring the Baron the designs for our new lathe."

  ***

  Now Agistino loved the idea of a water-powered lathe. When the Baron was gone, Agistino actually did a little jig, dancing on the spot. All the teens laughed.

  "We will produce lookers for all of Europe," he sang.

  "Did you see the look on his face when he saw the new lathe design?" Lincoln said, continuing to laugh. "I thought his jaw was going to hit the table."

  "This water-powered lathe will allow us to undersell Florence!" the Master pronounced. Then he kicked up his heels and did another little jig. He saw how this made Hansum laugh, so he made a serious face and teased, "Remember, you must not show the plans to anyone."

  "Yes, Master. I think I've got that straight now."

  "And the miller?" Agistino continued. "We will need to ally ourselves with him. His expertise and access to the river is essential. I shall stand by him at his church this next Sabbath. No!" he lamented. "This approach is too bold. We must act carefully. I shall give it more thought. God will present an opportunity." He sipped on his verjuice, then looked at over at Hansum, who seemed deep in thought again. "What? What are you thinking now, ruminating one?"

  "Well, Master, when I visited the miller da Barletto about Pippo, besides seeing the mill, I also saw he has a seventeen-year-old daughter who is not married. Her name is Serindella."

  "Yes, I know her from church," Shamira said.

  "Truly?" the Master commented. "A daughter that old and yet unmarried? Is she an imbecile?"

  "Hey, I'm almost that old," Shamira reminded him.

  "No, Master," Hansum said. "She's not a geniuso, but quite pleasant of temperament and good about the home and business from what I've heard."

  "Why, then, is she a spinster?"

  "I don't wish to be unkind to a young lady, but in terms of describing her I would say Ugilino would be a good comparison." Hansum stopped short and looked at the Master, raising an eyebrow. Agistino stopped and stared back at Hansum. Then they both smiled simultaneously, as if bright oil lamps had ignited above each of their heads.

  "Serindella!" the Master shouted joyously.

  "And Ugilino!" Hansum added.

  "Si, that would be perfect." Agistino clapped his hands together. "Finally the Lord has rewarded me for putting up with that monster of a boy!" The cogs were turning in his head.

  "You're going to foist Ugi off on Serindella?" Shamira protested. She was horrified.

  "It would be perfect," Agistino cried. He started talking about new clothes for Ugilino and a dinner for the two families. Shamira, disgusted, went to the cot and picked up her drawing satchel. Lincoln just laughed at the whole thing.

  "Can you imagine how ugly the babies would be?" he said, almost choking with mirth.

  "It's fun to marry off children," the Master finally said, "even if they are not your own. One day, Romero, we shall have to find a wife for you!"

  A pregnant pause.

  "Well, Master, now that you broach the subject . . ."

  There was a knock at the door. As soon as Lincoln opened it, he got down on one knee and bowed his head.

  "Master," he called. "It's the Bishop."

  There in the doorway was the Bishop of San Zeno, flanked by two priests. Master della Cappa hurried to the door, bowing over and over again.

  "Bishop, Holy Father, welcome, welcome. Come in, Holy Father, please. How may I help you? What service may I provide?" Agistino bent to one knee before the clergyman and kissed his ring.

  "Good day to you, Master della Cappa. We're thinking of discs for the eyes for most of the writing room."

  "Oh, marvelous, Your Grace. Please sit down and we shall talk. Maruccio, get th
e cups. Make sure they're clean. Carmella, wine and victuals. Quickly."

  As the priests were seated, Agistino called Hansum over to him. "Romero," he said in a euphoric manner, "go find Ugilino. I will talk to him about Serindella. Oh, my luck today keeps getting better and better. Maruccio, hurry with those cups."

  Hansum went over to Shamira.

  "Have you seen Ugilino?" he asked.

  "In the shop, I think," she answered, "with Guilietta."

  Chapter 64

  "Please get off your knees," Ugilino heard Guilietta say.

  The wet-haired oaf raised his head and looked up at the beauty. She sat facing him on the shop's work bench, looking him straight in the eye. He had confidently walked into the room, called her name and said he wished to talk to her. She had turned on the bench to give him her full attention. He took a few steps toward her, and recited all the wonderful things he had done the past few months. How many discs for the eyes he sold, how great a future he had. He even told how people respected him and showed their daughters to him. Then, after a long while of self aggrandizement, he knelt down on his knees and asked her the most important question of his life.

  "But I don't want any of them. I want you. Will you marry me?"

  Guilietta was very kind. She did not laugh and she did not look at him with disgust.

  "Ugilino, you have changed into a man I thought you could never become," she said. "You are clean and pious. You go to church regularly. Yes, you have earned the respect of many merchants and priests with your sales of the discs for the eyes. But, Ugilino, you are not the man for me."