CHREM. (_to himself._) He has forced tears from me, and I do pity him. But as the day is far gone, I must remind Phania, this neighbor {of mine}, to come to dinner. I’ll go see whether he is at home. (_Goes to PHANIA’S door, makes the inquiry, and returns._) There was no occasion for me to remind him: they tell me he has been some time already at my house; it’s I myself am making my guests wait. I’ll go in-doors immediately. But what means the noise at the door of my house? I wonder who’s coming out! I’ll step aside here. (_He stands aside._) SCENE III. _Enter CLITIPHO, from the house of CHREMES._ CLIT. (_at the door, to CLINIA within._) There is nothing, Clinia, for you to fear as yet: they have not been long by any means: and I am sure that she will be with you presently along with the messenger. Do at once dismiss these causeless apprehensions which are tormenting you. CHREM. (_apart._) Who is my son talking to? (_Makes his appearance._) CLIT. (_to himself._) Here comes my father, whom I wished {to see}: I’ll accost him. Father, you have met me opportunely. CHREM. What is the matter? CLIT. Do you know this neighbor of ours, Menedemus? CHREM. Very well. CLIT. Do you know that he has a son? CHREM. I have heard that he has; in Asia. CLIT. He is not {in Asia}, father; he is at our house. CHREM. What is it you say? CLIT. Upon his arrival, after he had {just} landed from the ship, I immediately brought him to dine with us; for from our very childhood upward I have always been on intimate terms with him. CHREM. You announce {to me} a great pleasure. How much I wish that Menedemus had accepted my invitation to make one of us: that at my house I might have been the first to surprise him, when not expecting it, with this delight! --and even yet there’s time enough---- CLIT. Take care what you do; there is no necessity, father, {for doing so}. CHREM. For what reason? CLIT. Why, because he is as yet undetermined what to do with himself. He is but just arrived. He fears every thing; his father’s displeasure, and how his mistress may be disposed toward him. He loves her to distraction: on her account, this trouble and going abroad took place. CHREM. I know it. CLIT. He has just sent a servant into the city to her, and I {ordered} our Syrus {to go} with him. CHREM. What does {Clinia} say? CLIT. What {does} he {say}? That he is wretched. CHREM. Wretched? Whom could we less suppose so? What is there wanting for him to enjoy every thing that among men, in fact, are esteemed as blessings? Parents, a country in prosperity, friends, family, relations, riches? And yet, {all} these are just according to the disposition of him who possesses them. To him who knows how to use them, they are blessings; to him who does not use them rightly, {they are} evils. CLIT. Aye, but he always was a morose old man; and now I dread nothing more, father, than that in his displeasure he’ll be doing something to him more than is justifiable.