PAM. Then I’ll tell you how to know it; a huge {fellow}, ruddy, with curly hair, fat, with gray eyes {and} freckled countenance. PAR. May the Gods confound him! What if he shouldn’t come? Am I to wait {there}, even till the evening? PAM. Yes, wait {there}. Run! PAR. I can’t; I am so tired. (_Exit slowly._ SCENE VII. _PAMPHILUS, alone._ PAM. He’s off. What shall I do in this distressed situation? Really, I don’t know in what way I’m to conceal this, as Myrrhina entreated me, her daughter’s lying-in; but I do pity the woman. What I can, I’ll do; {only} so long, however, as I observe my duty; for it is proper that I should be regardful of a parent,[46] rather than of my passion. But look-- I see Phidippus and my father. They are coming this way; what to say to them, I’m at a loss. (_Stands apart._) SCENE VIII. _Enter, at a distance, LACHES and PHIDIPPUS._ LACH. Did you not say, just now, that she was waiting for my son’s return? PHID. Just so. LACH. They say that he has arrived; let her return. PAM. (_apart to himself, aloud._) What excuse to make to my father for not taking her back, I don’t know! LACH. (_turning round._) Who was it I heard speaking here? PAM. (_apart._) I am resolved to persevere in the course I determined to pursue. LACH. ’Tis the very person about whom I was talking to you. PAM. Health to you, my father. LACH. Health to you, my son. PHID. I am glad that you have returned, Pamphilus, and the more especially so, as you are safe and well. PAM. I believe you. LACH. Have you but just arrived? PAM. Only just now. LACH. Tell me, what has our cousin Phania left us? PAM. Why really, i’faith, he was a man very much devoted to pleasure while he lived; and those who are so, don’t much benefit their heirs, but for themselves leave this commendation: While he lived, he lived well.[47] LACH. So then, you have brought home nothing more[48] than a single sentiment? PAM. Whatever he has left, we are the gainers by it. LACH. Why no, it has proved a loss; for I could have wished him alive and well. PHID. You may wish that with impunity; he’ll never come to life again; and after all I know which of the two you would prefer. LACH. Yesterday, he (_pointing to PHIDIPPUS_) desired Philumena to be fetched to his house. (_Whispers to PHIDIPPUS, nudging him with his elbow._) Say that you desired it. PHID. (_aside to LACHES._) Don’t punch me so. (_To PAMPHILUS._) I desired it. LACH. But he’ll now send her home again. PHID. Of course. PAM. I know the whole affair, and how it happened; I heard it just now, on my arrival. LACH. Then may the Gods confound those spiteful people who told this news with such readiness!