Ridolfo—It seems to me an honest man shouldn't stand by and see people assassinated. Pandolfo—Oho, my friend, if you're going to be so thin-skinned you'll make little money. Ridolfo—I don't care for that. Till now I have been in service, and did my duty honestly. I saved a few pennies, and with the help of my old master, who was Signor Eugenio's father, you know, I have opened this shop. With it I mean to live honorably and not disgrace my profession. [People from the gambling-shop call "Cards!"] Pandolfo [answering]—At your service. Ridolfo—For mercy's sake, get poor Signor Eugenio away from the table. Pandolfo—For all me, he may lose his shirt: I don't care. [Starts out.] Ridolfo—And the coffee—shall I charge it? Pandolfo—Not at all: we'll deal a card for it. Ridolfo—I'm no greenhorn, my friend. Pandolfo—Oh well, what does it matter? You know my visitors make trade for you. I am surprised that you trouble yourself about these little matters. [Exit.] ... A gentleman, Don Marzio, enters Ridolfo [aside]—Here is the man who never stops talking, and always must have it his own way. Marzio—Coffee. Ridolfo—At once, sir. Marzio—What's the news, Ridolfo? Ridolfo—I couldn't say, sir. Marzio—Has no one appeared here at your café yet? Ridolfo—'Tis quite early still.[Pg 6491] Marzio—Early? It has struck nine already. Ridolfo—Oh no, honored sir, 'tis not seven yet. Marzio—Get away with your nonsense. Ridolfo—I assure you, it hasn't struck seven yet. Marzio—Get out, stupid. Ridolfo—You abuse me without reason, sir. Marzio—I counted the strokes just now, and I tell you it is nine. Besides, look at my watch: it never goes wrong. [Shows it.] Ridolfo—Very well, then; if your watch is never wrong,—it says a quarter to seven. Marzio—What? That can't be. [Takes out his eye-glass and looks.] Ridolfo—What do you say? Marzio—My watch is wrong. It is nine o'olock. I heard it. Ridolfo—Where did you buy that watch? Marzio—I ordered it from London. Ridolfo—They cheated you. Marzio—Cheated me? How so? It is the very first quality. Ridolfo—If it were a good one, it wouldn't be two hours wrong. Marzio—It is always exactly right. Ridolfo—But the watch says a quarter to seven, and you say it is nine. Marzio—My watch is right. Ridolfo—Then it really is a little before seven, as I said. Marzio—You're an insolent fellow. My watch is right: you talk foolishly, and I've half a mind to box your ears. [His coffee is brought.] Ridolfo [aside]—Oh, what a beast! Marzio—Have you seen Signor Eugenio? Ridolfo—No, honored sir. Marzio—At home, of course, petting his wife. What an uxorious fellow! Always a wife! Always a wife! [Drinks his coffee.] Ridolfo—Anything but his wife. He's been gambling all night at Pandolfo's. Marzio—Just as I tell you. Always gambling. Ridolfo [aside]—"Always gambling," "Always his wife," "Always" the Devil; I hope he'll catch him!