Faire Ladies, the paltry Judge of the Marquisate, whereof yesterday I made relation to you; hindred mee then of another Novell, concerning silly _Calandrino_, wherewith I purpose now to acquaint you. And because whatsoever hath already bin spoken of him, tended to no other end but matter of meriment, hee and his companions duly considered: the Novel which I shall now report, keepeth within the selfesame compasse, and aimeth also at your contentment, according to the scope of imposed variety. You have already heard what manner of man _Calandrino_ was, and likewise the rest of his pleasant Companions, who likewise are now againe to be remembred, because they are actors in our present discourse. It came so to passe, that an Aunt of _Calandrinoes_ dying, left him a legacy of two hundred Florines, wherewith he purposed to purchase some small Farme-house in the countrey, or else to enlarge the other, whereof he was possessed already. And, as if hee were to disburse some ten thousand Florines, there was not a Broker in all _Florence_, but understood what he intended to doe; and all the worst was, that the strings of his purse could stretch no higher. _Bruno_, and _Buffalmaco_ (his auncient Confederates) who heard of this good Fortune befalne him, advised him in such manner as they were wont to do; allowing it much better for him, to make merrie with the money in good cheare among them, then to lay it out in paltry Land, whereto he would not by any meanes listen, but ridde himselfe of them with a dinners cost, as loath to bee at anie further charge with them. These merry Laddes meant not to leave him so; but sitting one day in serious consultation, and a third man in their companie, named _Nello_; they all three layde their braines in steep, by what means to wash their mouths well, and _Calandrino_ to bee at the cost thereof. And having resolved what was to bee done, they met togither the next morning, even as _Calandrino_ was comming foorth of his house, and sundering themselves, to avoyd all suspition, yet beeing not farre distant each from other; _Nello_ first met him, and saide unto him, Good Morrow _Calandrino_: which he requited backe agayne with the same salutation. But then _Nello_ standing still, looked him stedfastly in the face: whereat _Calandrino_ mervailing, sayd: _Nello_, why dost thou behold me so advisedly? Whereunto _Nello_ answered, saying Hast thou felt any paine this last night past? Thou lookest nothing so well, as thou didst yesterday. _Calandrino_ began instantly to wax doubtfull, and replyed thus. Dost thou see any alteration in my face, whereby to imagine, I should feele some paine? In good faith _Calandrino_ (quoth _Nello_) me thinks thy countenance is strangely changed, and surely it proceedeth from some great cause, and so he departed away from him.