DAV. (_pointing._) Take some sacred herbs[78] from the altar here,[79] and strew them under it. MYS. Why don’t you do it yourself? DAV. That if perchance I should have to swear to my master that I did not place it there, I may be enabled to do so with a clear conscience. MYS. I understand; have these new scruples only just now occurred to you, pray? DAV. Bestir yourself quickly, that you may learn what I’m going to do next. (_MYSIS lays the child at SIMO’S door._) Oh Jupiter! MYS. (_starting up._) What’s the matter? DAV. The father of the {intended} bride is coming in the middle of it {all}. The plan which I had first purposed I {now} give up.[80] MYS. I don’t understand what you are talking about. DAV. I’ll pretend too that I’ve come in this direction from the right. Do you take care to help out the conversation by your words, whenever there’s necessity.[81] MYS. I don’t at all comprehend what you are about; but if there’s any thing in which you have need of my assistance, as you understand the best, I’ll stay, that I mayn’t in any way impede your success. (_DAVUS retires out of sight._) SCENE VII. _Enter CHREMES on the other side of the stage, going toward the house of SIMO._ CHREM. (_to himself._) After having provided the things necessary for my daughter’s nuptials, I’m returning, that I may request her to be sent for. (_Seeing the child._) But what’s this? I’faith, it’s a child. (_Addressing MYSIS._) Woman, have you laid that here (_pointing to the child_)? MYS. (_aside, looking out for DAVUS._) Where is he? CHREM. Don’t you answer me? MYS. (_looking about, to herself._) He isn’t any where to be seen. Woe to wretched me! the fellow has left me and is off. DAV. (_coming forward and pretending not to see them._) Ye Gods, by our trust in you! what a crowd there is in the Forum! What a lot of people are squabbling there! (_Aloud._) Then provisions are {so} dear. (_Aside._) What to say besides, I don’t know. (_CHREMES passes by MYSIS, and goes to a distance at the back of the stage._) MYS. Pray, why did you leave me here alone? DAV. (_pretending to start on seeing the child._) Ha! what story is this? How now, Mysis, whence comes this child? Who has brought it here? MYS. Are you quite right in your senses, to be asking me that? DAV. Whom, then, ought I to ask, as I don’t see any one else here? CHREM. (_apart to himself._) I wonder whence it has come. DAV. Are you going to tell me what I ask? MYS. Pshaw! DAV. (_in a whisper._) Step aside to the right. (_They retire on one side._) MYS. You are out of your senses; didn’t you your own self? DAV. (_in a low voice._) Take you care not to utter a single word beyond what I ask you. Why don’t you say aloud whence it comes? MYS. (_in a loud voice._) From our house. DAV. (_affecting indignation._) Heyday, indeed! it really is a wonder if a woman, who is a courtesan, acts impudently. CHREM. (_apart._) So far as I can learn, this woman belongs to the Andrian.