Alpha Book

Andrea Contini looked at him in some surprise, not understanding in the
least what he meant.
"I mean, am I to have nothing to do with the work?" asked Orsino.
"Oh--as far as that goes, you will come every day, Signor Principe, if
it amuses you, though as you are not a practical architect, your
assistance is not needed until questions of taste have to be considered,
such as the Gothic roof for instance. But there are the accounts to be
kept, of course, and there is the business with the bank from week to
week, office work of various kinds. That becomes naturally your
department, as the practical superintendence of the building is mine,
but you will of course leave it to the steward of the Signor Principe di
Sant' Ilario, who is a man of affairs."
"I will do nothing of the kind!" exclaimed Orsino. "I will do it myself.
I will learn how it is done. I want occupation."
"What an extraordinary wish!" Andrea Contini opened his eyes in real
astonishment.
"Is it? You work. Why should not I?"
"I must, and you need not, Signor Principe," observed the architect.


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