SIM. What, nothing? Eh? DAV. Nothing at all. SIM. And yet I certainly was expecting something. DAV. It has turned out contrary to your expectations. (_Aside._) I perceive it; this vexes the man. SIM. Are you able to tell me the truth? DAV. I? Nothing more easy. SIM. Is this marriage at all disagreeable to him, on account of his intimacy with this foreign woman? DAV. No, faith; or if at all, it is a two or three days’ annoyance this-- you understand. It will then cease. Moreover, he himself has thought over this matter in a proper way. SIM. I commend him. DAV. While it was allowed him, and while his years prompted him, he intrigued; {even} then it {was} secretly. He took precaution that that circumstance should never be a cause of disgrace to him, as behooves a man of principle; now that he must have a wife, he has set his mind upon a wife. SIM. He seemed to me to be somewhat melancholy in a slight degree. DAV. Not at all on account of her, but there’s something he blames you for. SIM. What is it, pray? DAV. It’s a childish thing. SIM. What is it? DAV. Nothing at all. SIM. Nay but, tell me what it is. DAV. He says that you are making too sparing preparations. SIM. What, I? DAV. You. --He says that there has hardly been fare provided to the amount of ten drachmæ.[59] --“Does he seem to be bestowing a wife on his son? Which one now, in preference, of my companions shall I invite to the dinner?” And, it must be owned, you really {are providing} too parsimoniously-- I do not commend you. SIM. Hold your tongue. DAV. (_aside._) I’ve touched him up. SIM. I’ll see that these things are properly done. (_DAVUS goes into the house._) What’s the meaning of this? What does this old rogue mean? But if there’s any knavery here, why, he’s sure to be the source of the mischief. (_Goes into his house._) ACT THE THIRD. SCENE I. _Enter SIMO and DAVUS from the house of the former. MYSIS and LESBIA are coming toward the house of GLYCERIUM._ MYS. (_not seeing SIMO and DAVUS._) Upon my faith, the fact is really as you mentioned, Lesbia, you can hardly find a man constant to a woman. SIM. (_apart to DAVUS._) This maid-servant comes from the Andrian. DAV. (_apart to SIMO._) What do you say? SIM. (_apart to DAVUS._) It is so. MYS. But this Pamphilas---- SIM. (_apart to DAVUS._) What is she saying? MYS. Has proved his constancy. SIM. (_apart._) Hah! DAV. (_apart to himself._) I wish that either he were deaf, or she struck dumb. MYS. For the child she brings forth, he has ordered to be brought up. SIM. (_apart._) O Jupiter! What do I hear! It’s all over, if indeed this woman speaks the truth. LES. You mention a good disposition on the part of the young man. MYS. A most excellent one. But follow me in-doors, that you mayn’t keep her waiting. LES. I’ll follow. (_MYSIS and LESBIA go into GLYCERIUM’S house._) SCENE II. _SIMO and DAVUS._ DAV. (_aside._) What remedy now shall I find for this mishap?