29
All right. Shall we visit Simon first, or one of the other rich men?
29
No: Simon, who wants to have a name of four syllables instead of two, now that he is rich. Here we are at the door already. What shall I do next?
29
Put the feather to the lock.
29
Look at that now! Heracles! The door has opened just as it would toa key!
29
Lead on. Do you see him sitting up and figuring?
29
Yes, by Heaven, beside a dim and thirsty lamp; he is pale for some reason, cock, and all run down and thin; from worrying, I suppose, for there was no talk of his being ill in any other way.
29
Listen to what he is saying and you will find out how he got this way.
29
Well, then, that seventy talents is quite safely buried under the bed and no one else knows of it; but as for the sixteen, I think Sosylus the groom saw me hiding them under the manger. At any rate he is all for hanging about the stable, though he is not particularly attentive to business otherwise or fond of work. I have probably been robbed of much more than that, or else where did Tibius get the money for the big slice of salt fish they said he treated himself to yesterday or the earring they said he bought for his wife at a cost of five whole drachmas?_ It’s my money these fellows are squandering, worse luck! But my cups are not stored in a safe place, either, and there are so many! I’m afraid someone may burrow under the wall and steal them: many envy me and plot against me, and above all my neighbour Micyllus.
29
Yes, by Heaven, I’m just like you and go away with the dishes under my arm!
29
Hush, Micyllus, for fear he may find out that we are here.
