‘Well, kinsman, you say nothing. What do you think of my bantling in glass?’ said Masthlion to the Suburan, who stood leaning against a bench with folded arms and knitted brows. ‘’Tis something undoubtedly new, potter,’ replied Cestus. ‘And do you say you can make clear glass and fancy cups and vases, such as one sees in Rome, in the same way—unbreakable?’ ‘Certainly—why not?’ answered Masthlion. ‘No shape, colour, or fashion whatever can make any difference to its principle of indestructibility.’ ‘Why then, potter, I may safely give you joy of your new fashion. It has been a long time coming, but it has come at last. And provided you can keep your secret, and deal sensibly with it, I should say you ought to coin money. Give me your hand, kinsman—you’ll be as rich as Caesar! And recollect when your secret has two in it, it is no secret at all.’ ‘Trust me for that!’ laughed Masthlion, as Cestus gripped his hand. ‘And yet something more, potter. This little affair must needs take you to Rome. You may as well wrap up your piece of glass, with the secret of its making on a parchment inside, and go bury them in your garden, as stop in this place to make wealth.’ ‘There is nothing to prevent me going on making glass here as heretofore,’ replied Masthlion, with a shadow stealing over his face. ‘Nothing!’ returned Cestus energetically, ‘even if you lived for the next hundred years. But what an ending to your twenty‐five years’ work! Cradled and buried in these hills for the benefit of housewives and kitchen wenches round about Surrentum! No; you must have a wider market for your wares and your name. Rome is the market of the world, and to Rome all the world looks for the latest fashion. There is where name and fame is to be had, and everything which follows name and fame. There you will find the powerful patron to father your handicraft—and a powerful patron is everything, kinsman, even in the matter of glass cups.’ ‘What I have toiled for so long, and at last brought to light, will be to the direct use and service of the world. So much so that the world will find it out and accept it. It will matter little whether it goes to Rome or to Surrentum to obtain it.’