_Pam._ It’s very funny: he’s not to be seen. _Clin._ What shall I do? _Pam._ To-day’s my birthday, Clinia: We have asked some friends to come: if you will be my guest, 220 Our house is very handy. No one shall hear your name. My father will not suspect you. _Clin._ I thank you. There’s no need. _Pam._ I’ll call you Clitipho. _Clin._ No, no, I am ill-disposed For company. Pray excuse me. Besides I am sure your father Must be acquainted with mine. _Pam._ I doubt it. He often says He wonders who in the world his eccentric neighbour is. But whether he knows or not we’ll soon find out: for look, He is coming down the road. Stand back where you can hear; And if he has any knowledge that can be of use to you, I’ll worm it out. _Re-enter Chremes._ _Chr._ What are you doing, Pamphilus, 230 Looking over the hedge into our neighbour’s garden? Do you not know how vulgar curiosity is? Spying and prying thus into other folk’s affairs. I am quite ashamed of you, sir! _Pam._ I was only looking to see If I could catch a glimpse of old Menedemus, father. I’ve found out something about him. _Chr._ Eh! and what is that? _Pam._ Have you ever heard of Clinia? _Chr._ Clinia, Clinia? Yes— Of course, why he’s Menedemus’ son, who is now in Persia. I know about him. _Pam._ Well, he’s an old school-friend of mine. _Chr._ Is he? _Pam._ You know when first I came to school at Athens, 240 He was kind to me, and afterwards, when we all came here to live, I met him again. I never dreamed that ’twas his father, Who took this place next door. I used to hear he was quite A different sort of person. _Chr._ Ay, no doubt he was. The trouble his son has brought upon him has broke him down. _Pam._ Why, Clinia had no debts. _Chr._ Perhaps he had no debts: But I could tell you more about him than you imagine. I have never been able to take any pleasure, Pamphilus, In any one of your friendships; and now I am grieved to find You are intimate with this foolish, dissolute young man. 250 Evil communications corrupt good manners. _Pam._ Clinia is not that sort at all. _Chr._ You do not know. _Pam._ I know he fell in love with a girl that lives in the town, And wanted to marry her, only his father would not hear of it, And sent him off to Asia, and now— _Chr._ He ran away. _Pam._ And if he did, no wonder, considering his father’s treatment. _Chr._ He should not have done so. _Pam._ I take it his father’s sorry now.