he must have been,
as I can see still; but perhaps his beauty was all he had to boast
of."

"He was my master's favourite hound," answered Eumaeus, "and there was
none swifter or keener of scent in all the land. Formerly the young
men would take him with them to hunt the wild goat or the hare or the
deer; but now that he is sore stricken with years not one of the women
will bring him a morsel to eat, or a little water to drink. So it ever
is when the master is absent; for a slave has no conscience when his
owner's eye is not upon him."

When Eumaeus had entered the house, Odysseus lingered awhile, gazing
sadly at the faithful Argus. The old hound raised himself, and
struggled painfully to drag himself to his master's feet; but the
effort was too much for him, and he sank back on his sorry bed, and
breathed his last.

With a heavy heart Odysseus turned away, and passing into the hall sat
down on the threshold and laid his scrip beside him. Telemachus was
the first to notice him, and calling the swineherd, who was sitting
near, he gave him a loaf of bread and a good handful of meat, and bade
him carry it to the beggar. "And tell him to go round and beg of all
the wooers," he said: "want and modesty agree ill together." Eumaeus
brought the gift and the message, which Odysseus received with a
blessing on the giver. And when he had eaten he rose and went round
the hall, begging of the wooers. All gave him something until he came
to Antinous, who stared at him insolently and asked who he was.

"I saw the fellow," answered Melanthius, "a little while ago. Eumaeus
brought him hither, but who he is I know not."

"Ah! thou rogue," said Antinous to the swineherd, "we know thy ways!
Why didst thou bring this caitiff to the town? Are there not beggars
enough here already to mar our pleasure when we sit down to meat? 'Tis
nought to thee, it seems, that these palmer-worms come swarming round
the house to devour thy master's living."

[Illustration: The Return of Odysseus]

"He is no guest of my inviting," answered Eumaeus. "I would not invite
to this house any wandering stranger, unless he were a prophet, or
leech, or shipwright, or minstrel; and he is none of these. But thou
art ever hard on the servants of Odysseus, and especially on me; yet I
care not, so long as I satisfy Penelope and my young lord,
Telemachus."

"Eumaeus, thou art overbold of speech," said Telemachus; then turning
to Antinous he added: "I thank thee fo