GATHERING MORE THREADS The next morning Nikander returned to his home. He retired at once to rest after his journey. Theria met him as he came forth again from his room in the late afternoon. It was plain that no sleep had been his. He was haggard. There was something in his face which cut Theria to the heart. She put herself directly in his path. “Father,” she said, “I know your trouble. Do not hide it from me. You think I cannot help you, but, oh, let me try.” The love outgoing from her face and from the little trembling gesture of her hand—these he could not choose but see. “You say a great deal when you say that you know all about my trouble,” he smiled. “Don’t laugh at me, please. I am a grown woman. I am sixteen years old.” “What is it you want to know, child?” “About the Persians,” she said breathlessly. She was daring the question now. What a fool she felt herself to be! “If they’re really coming against only Athens and Sparta couldn’t the other states stand aside—and keep out of it—wouldn’t it be best?” His face went black. “Theria, who has been talking to you?” he demanded. “Nobody, Father. We hear things in the house. We can’t help hearing them. I heard, too, that Argos has Medized. I wanted to tell you that. The Pythia’s answer had nothing to do with it. They Medized long before. They are in actual league with the Persian!” Nikander looked as if she had dashed water in his face. “By the thundering Zeus, how did you know that? The priests only made certain of it last night.” “It’s because I want so much to know, Father, that I learn. And I know that you are in bitter danger from Kobon. Are you sure”—she caught her breath before the plunge—“are you sure you are right? Are you sure that _all_ the states should fight the Persian? Wouldn’t it be better to treat with the Persian just as the Oracle bids us do?” This time his eyes flashed with anger. “Am I to hear myself flouted,” he said, “by the very women of my household?” She suddenly threw both arms about his neck in a passion of tears. “No—no—no—I am not flouting you! Kobon! He may kill you. Any day he may kill you.” “That side of the question is not to be dwelt upon,” he said severely. He put his arm about her, but his face was like a mask. “Come with me,” he said. He led her into his room and shut the door. She could not tell whether he would punish her or not. “Do you know what is meant by ‘treating with the Persian’?” he demanded. “No.” “It means to be his slave, to submit to his rule in ways that would ruin the freedom of Greece. We Greeks could meet in our Councils—oh, yes, we could _meet_! But the Councils would count for naught. The Great King’s word would be law. It would mean that we would be called out to fight the King’s battles, not our own—that he would take our young men to his court and make eunuchs of them, take our young girls for his concubines. Don’t you think that any state of Greece should prefer death to such a fate?”