246 « PHILEMON.

Lys. “There is no harm in him, and I should like
to give him a little help.”

Phil. “You don’t really help a ene by giving
him something to spend in eating and drinking.
You lose what you give him, and only prolong his
misery. However, I don’t mean this to apply to
your friend. I don’t like, in fact, to refuse anything
in reason. Tell me what it is you want. Speak
freely to your father.”

Lys. “ Lesbionicus, who lives there —”

Phil, “Oh! that is the man, is it? The fellow
who has eaten up all that he had and all that he
hadn’t. However, what do you want to give him?”

Lys. “Nothing at all, father; only you must not
hinder him from giving me something, if he wants
to.”

Phil. “How you're to help him by taking some-
thing from him I cannot see.”

Lys. “Perhaps I can show you. You know what
family he nee to?”

Phil. “Yes; it’s as good as any in Athens.”

Lys. “He ae a grown-up sister. I want to marry
her without a dowry.”

Phil, “Without a dowry!”

Lys. “Yes, father; it won’t make us worse thought
of.”

Phil. “Well, let it be so, if you will have it.”

Lys. “One thing more; would you mind asking
for her?”