SIM. He, a worthy man! To come so opportunely to-day {just} at the very nuptials, {and yet} never to have come before? (_Ironically._) Of course, we must believe him, Chremes. PAM. (_aside._) If I didn’t dread my father, I have something, which, in this conjuncture, I could opportunely suggest to him.[92] SIM. (_sneeringly, to CHREMES._) A sharper![93] CRI. (_starting._) Hah! CHREM. It is his way, Crito; do excuse it. CRI. Let him take heed how he behaves. If he persists in saying to me what he likes, he’ll be hearing things that he don’t like. Am I meddling with these matters or interesting myself? Can you not endure your troubles with a patient mind? For as to what I say, whether it is true or false what I have heard, can soon be known. A certain man of Attica, a long time ago,[94] his ship being wrecked, was cast ashore at Andros, and this woman together with him, who was {then} a little girl; he, in his destitution, by chance first made application to the father of Chrysis-- SIM. (_ironically._) He’s beginning his tale. CHREM. Let him alone. CRI. Really, is he to be interrupting me in this way? CHREM. Do you proceed. CRI. He who received him was a relation of mine. There I heard from him that he was a native of Attica. He died there. CHREM. His name? CRI. The name, in such a hurry! PAM. Phania. CHREM. (_starting._) Hah! I shall die! CRI. I’faith, I really think it was Phania; this I know for certain, he said that he was a citizen of Rhamnus.[95] CHREM. O Jupiter! CRI. Many other persons in Andros have heard the same, Chremes. CHREM. (_aside._) I trust it may turn out as I hope. (_To CRITO._) Come now, tell me, what {did} he then {say} about her? Did he say she was his own {daughter}? CRI. No. CHREM. Whose then? CRI. His brother’s daughter. CHREM. She certainly is mine. CRI. What do you say? SIM. What is this that you say? PAM. (_aside._) Prick up your ears, Pamphilus. SIM. Why do you suppose {so}? CHREM. That Phania was my brother. SIM. I knew him, and I am aware of it. CHREM. He, flying from the wars, and following me to Asia, set out from here. At the same time he was afraid to leave her here behind; since then, this is the first time I have heard what became of him. PAM. (_aside._) I am scarcely myself, so much has my mind been agitated by fear, hope, joy, {and} surprise at this so great, so unexpected blessing. SIM. Really, I am glad for many reasons that she has been discovered to be a citizen. PAM. I believe it, father. CHREM. But there yet remains one difficulty[96] with me, which keeps me in suspense. PAM. (_aside._) You deserve to be ----, with your scruples, {you} plague. You are seeking a knot in a bulrush.[97] CRI. (_to CHREMES._) What is that? CHREM. The names don’t agree. CRI. Troth, she had another when little. CHREM. What {was it}, Crito? Can you remember it? CRI. I’m trying to recollect it.