His packing done, he went on with his good-bye visits, going first to Maestro Pane. The old carpenter's shop, generally thronged, was at the moment deserted, and Anania had to wait some time sitting on the bench, his feet among the abundant shavings which strewed the floor. A light breeze blew in from the door, agitating the great cobwebs and the layers of sawdust. At last Maestro Pane came in, put on an old soldier's tunic, its buttons carefully polished, and smiled with childish satisfaction when Anania told him he looked like a general. "I have the helmet too," he said, "but when I put it on the children laugh. So you're off, my boy? God go with you and help you. I have nothing to give you." "Never mind that, Maestro Pane." "My heart is not wanting, but heart isn't enough. Well, when you're Doctor of Laws I'll make you a writing desk. I've got the pattern!" He looked up a furniture catalogue and showed a splendid bureau with columns and carving. "You think I can't do it? You don't know Maestro Pane. If I've not made much precious and expensive furniture it's only because I lack capital. It will be well done." "I'm sure it will, and when I'm a doctor and a rich man I'll have you to make all the furniture of my palace." "Will you really?" cried the old hunchback, delighted. "In how many years will it be?" "That I can't tell you. Ten perhaps, or fifteen." "Too long. I shall be in heaven by that time. In the workshop of the glorious St Joseph." (He crossed himself.) "And tell me, what does this catalogue mean by furniture Lui-gi-de-ci-mo-quart-o," (Louis XIV.) he asked reading in syllables. "He was a king," began Anania. "I know that much. He was a king very fond of women," said the old man with a grin on his great toothless mouth. "Maestro Pane, how do you know that?" "Because I'm not a scholar do you think I know nothing? Victor Emmanuel liked hoeing his garden, and Queen Esther liked picking lavender in the fields, and that King Luigi liked girls." "You seem to have read a great deal." "I? I wish I had. My dear boy, all are not born under a lucky star, like you!" Anania next knocked at Nanna's low door, but the old madman sitting on a stone close by told him she wasn't at home. "I'm waiting for her myself, you must know. Last night Jesus Christ told me he was wanting a servant." "Where did you see Jesus Christ?" "Down there, in the lane. He had a long cloak and his shoes were burst. Why don't you give me a pair of shoes, Nania Atonzu?" "They're too tight," said the boy, looking at his feet. "Then go barefoot, strike you dead!" shouted the lunatic menacingly. "Good-bye," said Anania; "I'm off to college." "To Iglesias?" "No, to Cagliari." "There are pole cats and vampires at Iglesias. Well good-bye. Shake hands. I won't eat you. And where's that mother of yours now, I wonder?" "Good-bye, take care of yourself," said Anania, freeing his hand from the madman's hard fingers.