"The price--that is it--the terrible price; we are subjected to a despotism such as you in your times would not for a moment have endured." "Undoubtedly--in one sense of the word--despotism. But Ariston claims that this despotism, though absolute, applies to only a few hours in the day, whereas in our time there was for the mass as great a despotism that controlled their entire existence. Some time must be given to the securing of food, clothing, and shelter. The present government claims to furnish this to all with less labor and less compulsion than under our system." We discussed this question at some length, but I could not help thinking that some other thought was preoccupying Neaera's mind, and presently she stretched her arms over her head and said, "Oh, I am tired of it all!"--then turning on her side she laid her head upon a bare arm, and looking at me, smiled. It was impossible to mistake her gesture or her smile; it told me that she had not called me to speak of serious things at all; it beckoned me to her side on the divan, and I almost felt myself unconsciously responding to her invitation. But I was aware of danger and refrained. Nevertheless, I was curious to know whether I was accusing her wrongfully, and I said: "The thing that puzzles me most about you all is--" I hesitated intentionally, and she helped me. "What is it?" "I don't know how to say it." "Bashful?" "A little." "Can I guess?" "I think you can." "We are all as much puzzled about it as you." "And yet I am told you pride yourselves on your good behavior." "Some do"--she paused a little, took a flower from a vase by her side and bit the stalk; she held the flower in her mouth a minute, looked at me again, half closing her eyes; but I remained seated where I was. Finding I remained unresponsive, she went on: "We have all the faults that come from too great intimacy between men and women. The men get so accustomed to the women that romance is dead. We tend to become a vast family of brothers and sisters. Fortunately we travel and receive travelers, and so the dreadful monotony is relieved. _You_ are a traveler, you see." I understood now why I was favored, but still I remained seated where I was. Perceiving that I was either stupid or resolute she jumped up from the divan and came to where I sat. She was short, and as she stood by me, her face was near mine and only a little above it. She had the flower in her hand now, and handing it to me, said: "Put it in my hair." I did so. She lowered her head to help me. I thought the time had come to effect an escape. "Did you ever hear," said I, "the Eastern story of the man with the staff, the cock, and the pot?" "No, tell it me."