ANT. Assuredly that will befall yourself just now unless you stop, you whip-knave. GETA. This must be some one pretty familiar, threatening me with a beating. (_Turns round._) But is it the person I’m in search of or not? ’Tis the very man! Up to him at once. ANT. What’s the matter? GETA. O being most blessed of all men living! For without question, Antipho, you are the only favorite of the Gods. ANT. So I could wish; but I should like to be told why I’m to believe it is so. GETA. Is it enough if I plunge you into a sea of joy? ANT. You are worrying me to death. PHOR. Nay but do have done with your promises, and tell us what you bring. GETA. (_looking round._) Oh, are you here too, Phormio? PHOR. I am: but {why} do you delay? GETA. Listen, then. When we just now paid you the money at the Forum, we went straight to Chremes; in the mean time, my master sent me to your wife. ANT. What for? GETA. I’ll omit telling you {that}, as it is nothing to the present purpose, Antipho. Just as I was going to the woman’s apartments, the boy Mida came running up to me, and caught me behind by my cloak, {and} pulled me back; I turned about, {and} inquired for what reason he stopped me; he said that it was forbidden for any one to go in to his mistress. “Sophrona has just now,” said he, “introduced here Chremes, the old gentleman’s brother,” and {he said} that he was then in the room with them: when I heard this, on tip-toe I stole softly along; I came there, stood, held my breath, I applied my ear, {and} so began to listen, catching the conversation every word in this fashion (_shows them_). ANT. Well done, Geta. GETA. Here I overheard a very pretty piece of business; so much so that I had nearly cried out for joy. ANT. What {was it}? GETA. (_laughing._) What do you think? ANT. I don’t know. GETA. Why, something most marvelous. Your uncle has been discovered to be the father of your wife, Phanium. ANT. (_starting._) Ha! what’s that you say? GETA. He formerly cohabited secretly with her mother at Lemnos. PHOR. A dream: how could she be ignorant about her own father? GETA. Be sure, Phormio, that there is some reason: but do you suppose that, outside of the door, I was able to understand every thing that passed between them within? ANT. On my faith, I too have heard the same story. GETA. Aye, and I’ll give you still further reason for believing it: your uncle in the mean time came out from there; not long after he returned again, with your father; each said that he gave you permission to retain her; in fine, I’ve been sent to find you, and bring you to them. ANT. Why then carry me off[82] {at once};-- why do you delay? GETA. I’ll do so. ANT. O my {dear} Phormio, farewell! PHOR. Farewell, Antipho. (_ANTIPHO and GETA go into DEMIPHO’S house._) SCENE IX. _PHORMIO, alone._