LACH. What was it you said? How-- not rear it, Pamphilus? Prithee, are we to expose it, in preference? What madness is this? Really, I can not now be silent any longer. For you force me to say in his presence (_pointing to PHIDIPPUS_) what I would rather not. Do you suppose I am in ignorance {of the cause} of your tears, or what it is on account of which you are perplexed to this degree? In the first place, when you alleged as a reason, that, on account of your mother, you could not have your wife at home, she promised that she would leave the house. Now, since you see this pretext as well taken away from you, because a child has been born without your knowledge, you have got another. You are mistaken if you suppose that I am ignorant of your feelings. That at last you might prevail upon your feelings to take this step, how long a period for loving a mistress did I allow you! With what patience did I bear the expense you were at in keeping her! I remonstrated with you and entreated you to take a wife. I said that it was time: by my persuasion you married. What you then did in obedience to me, you did as became you. Now again you have set your fancy upon a mistress, and, to gratify her, you do an injury to the other as well. For I see plainly that you have once more relapsed into the same course of life. PAM. What, I? LACH. Your own self, and you act unjustly therein. You feign false grounds for discord, that you may live with her when you have got rid of this witness {of your actions}; your wife has perceived it too; for what other reason had she for leaving you? PHID. (_to himself._) It’s clear he guesses right; for that must be it. PAM. I will give you my oath that none of these is the reason. LACH. Oh take home your wife, or tell me why you should not. PAM. It is not the time at present. LACH. Take the child, for surely that is not in fault; I will consider about the mother afterward. PAM. (_apart._) In every way I am wretched, and what to do I know not; with so many troubles is my father now besetting wretched me on every side. I’ll go away from here, since I avail but little by my presence. For without my consent, I do not believe that they will bring up the child, especially as on that point my mother-in-law will second me. (_Exit speedily._ SCENE VII. _LACHES and PHIDIPPUS._ LACH. (_to PAMPHILUS._) Do you run away? What, and give me no distinct answer? (_To PHIDIPPUS._) Does he seem to you to be in his senses? Let him alone. Phidippus, give me the child; I’ll bring it up. PHID. By all means. No wonder if my wife has taken this amiss: women are resentful; they do not easily put up with such things. Hence that anger of hers, for she herself told me of it; I would not mention this to you in his presence, and at first I did not believe her; but now it is true beyond a doubt; for I see that his feelings are altogether averse to marriage. LACH. What am I to do, then, Phidippus? What advice do you give?