he enjoys the pleasure. Well, then, henceforward let us try, on the other hand, whether I can’t speak kindly and act complaisantly, as he challenges me to it: I also want myself to be loved and highly valued by my friends. If that is to be effected by giving and indulging, I will not be behind him. If our means fail, that least concerns me, as I am the eldest.[88] SCENE V. _Enter SYRUS._ SYR. Hark you, Demea, your brother begs you will not go out of the way. DEM. Who {is it}? --O Syrus, my {friend},[89] save you! how are you? How goes it {with you}? SYR. Very well. DEM. Very good. (_Aside._) I have now for the first time used these three expressions contrary to my nature,-- “O Syrus, my {friend}, how are you? --how goes it with you?” (_To SYRUS._) You show yourself far from an unworthy servant, and I shall gladly do you a service. SYR. I thank you. DEM. Yes, Syrus, it is the truth; and you shall be convinced of it by experience before long. SCENE VI. _Enter GETA, from the house of SOSTRATA._ GETA (_to SOSTRATA, within._) Mistress, I am going to see after them, that they may send for the damsel as soon as possible; but see, here’s Demea. (_Accosting him._) Save you! DEM. O, what’s your name? GETA. Geta. DEM. Geta, I have this day come to the conclusion that you are a man of very great worth, for I look upon him as an undoubtedly good servant who has a care for his master; as I have found to be your case, Geta; and for that reason, if any opportunity should offer, I would gladly do you a service. (_Aside._) I am practicing the affable, and it succeeds very well. GETA. You are kind, sir, to think so. DEM. (_aside._) Getting on by degrees-- I’ll first make the lower classes my own. SCENE VII. _Enter ÆSCHINUS, from the house of MICIO._ ÆSCH. (_to himself._) They really are killing me while too intent on performing the nuptials with all ceremony; the {whole} day is being wasted in their preparations. DEM. Æschinus! how goes it? ÆSCH. Ha, my father! are you here? DEM. Your father, indeed, both by affection and by nature; as I love you more than my very eyes; but why don’t you send for your wife? ÆSCH. {So} I wish {to do}; but I am waiting for the music-girl[90] and people to sing the nuptial song. DEM. Come now, are you willing to listen to an old fellow like me? ÆSCH. What {is it}? DEM. Let those things alone, the nuptial song, the crowds, the torches,[91] {and} the music-girls, and order the stone wall in the garden[92] here to be pulled down with all dispatch, {and} bring her over that way; make but one house {of the two}; bring the mother and all the domestics over to our house. ÆSCH. With all my heart, kindest father.