that
she had been offering a sacrifice,[74] and that she was desirous to
speak upon some important business with me. Even then I had a
suspicion that all these things were being done for her artful
purposes. She takes her place beside me; pays every attention to me;
seeks an opportunity of conversation. When {the conversation} flagged,
she turned off to this point-- how long since my father and mother
died? I said that it was now a long time ago. Whether I had any
country-house at Sunium, and how far from the sea? I suppose that this
has taken her fancy, {and} she expects to get it away from me. Then at
last, whether any little sister of mine had been lost from there;
whether any person was with her; what she had about her when she was
lost; whether any one could recognize her. Why should she make these
inquiries? Unless, perhaps, she pretends-- so great is her assurance--
that she herself is the same person that was formerly lost when a
little girl. But if she is alive, she is sixteen years old, not older;
{whereas} Thais is somewhat older than I am. She has sent to press me
earnestly to come. Either let her speak out what she wants, or not be
troublesome; I assuredly shall not come a third time (_knocking at the
door of THAIS_). Ho! there, ho! there! Is any one here? It's I,
Chremes.

SCENE IV.

_Enter PYTHIAS from the house._

PYTH. O most charming, dear creature!

CHREM. (_apart._) I said there was a design upon me.

PYTH. Thais entreated you most earnestly to come again to-morrow.

CHREM. I'm going into the country.

PYTH. Do, there's a dear sir.

CHREM. I can not, I tell you.

PYTH. Then stay here at our house till she comes back.

CHREM. Nothing less likely.

PYTH. Why, my dear Chremes? (_Taking hold of him._)

CHREM. (_shaking her off._) Away to perdition with you!

PYTH. If you are so determined about it, pray do step over to the
place where she is.

CHREM. I'll go {there}.

PYTH. (_calling at the door._) {Here}, Dorias (_DORIAS enters_), show
this person directly to the Captain's.

(_Exit CHREMES with DORIAS, PYTHIAS goes into the house._

SCENE V.

_Enter ANTIPHO._

ANT. (_to himself._) Yesterday some young fellows of us agreed
together at the Piraeus that we were to go shares today in a
club-entertainment. We gave Chaerea charge of this matter; our rings
were given[75] as {pledges}; the place and time arranged. The time has
{now} gone by; at the place appointed there was n