Chapter 27 IL MAESTRO DI CALLIGRAFIA. No.27

[1] andare in pensione, to retire, be pensioned off.

[2] in barba al, before the very face of, in spite of.

[3] un pan di zucchero, a lump of sugar, here soft-hearted, an easy mark.

[4] gliene... maniera, every sort of prank had been played upon him.

[5] in fin dei conti, after all.

[6] o; compare XI., note 1.

[7] Scusi, sa, Excus