_Messer Geri_ returned the Servant backe againe unto _Cistio_, saying: Goe, and assure _Cistio_, that I sent thee to him, and if hee make thee any more such answeres, then demaund of him, to what place else I should send thee? Being come againe to _Cistio_, hee avouched that his Maister had sent him, but _Cistio_ affirming, that hee did not: the Servant asked, to what place else hee should send him? Marrie (quoth _Cistio_) unto the River of _Arno_, which runneth by _Florence_, there thou mayest be sure to fill thy Flaggon. When the Servant had reported this answer to _Messer Geri_, the eyes of his understanding beganne to open, and calling to see what Bottle hee had carried with him: no sooner looked he on the huge Flaggon, but severely reproving the sawcinesse of his Servant, hee sayde. Now trust mee, _Cistio_ told thee nothing but trueth, for neither did I send thee with any such dishonest message, nor had the reason to yeeld or grant it. Then he sent him with a bottle of more reasonable competencie, which so soone as _Cistio_ saw: Yea mary my friend, quoth he, now I am sure that thy Master sent thee to me, and he shall have his desire with all my hart. So, commaunding the Bottle to be filled, he sent it away by the Servant, and presently following after him, when he came unto _Messer Geri_, he spake unto him after this manner. Sir, I would not have you to imagine, that the huge flaggon (which first came) did any jotte dismay mee; but rather I conceyved, that the small Viall whereof you tasted every morning, yet filled many mannerly Glasses together, was fallen quite out of your remembrance; in plainer tearmes, it beeing no Wine for Groomes or Peazants, as your selfe affirmed yesterday. And because I meane to bee a Skinker no longer, by keeping Wine to please any other pallate but mine owne: I have sent you halfe my store, and heereafter thinke of mee as you shall please. _Messer Geri_ tooke both his guifte and speeches in most thankefull manner, accepting him alwayes after, as his intimate Friend, because he had so graced him before the Ambassadours. Madame Nonna de Pulci, _by a sodaine answere, did put to silence a Byshop of_ Florence, _and the Lord Marshall: having moved a question to the said Lady, which seemed to come short of honesty._ The Third Novell. _Wherein is declared, that mockers do sometimes meete with their matches in mockery, and to their owne shame._ When Madame _Pampinea_ had ended her Discourse, and (by the whole company) the answere and bounty of _Cistio_, had past with deserved commendation: it pleased the Queene, that Madame _Lauretta_ should next succeed: whereupon verie chearefully thus she beganne.