262 PHILEMON.. ©

Stas. “ Where are you going?”

Char. ‘Where should I go?”

Stas. “That’s not your house now; your son sold
it for two hundred pounds in ready money.”

Char. “Good heavens! and who bought it ?”

Stas. “Callicles, your fine friend whom you
trusted.” ee

Char. “ And where does my son live?”

Stas. “In the little place at the back.”

Char. “To think of this, after all I have done
for him! It kills me. Hold me up, Stasimus.”

It was not difficult, however, to console the old
man. Callicles, who was actually digging up the
treasure at the time, came running out in the street,
just as he was, on hearing his friend’s voice, and
explained what had happened. While he was talk-
ing Lysiteles appeared, and after listening a while to
the conversation of the two friends, introduced him-
self, was warmly greeted, and had his betrothal
confirmed by the father of the lady himself. Only
he was given to understand he must be content to
take the dowry as well as the girl. To this he could
make no objection; and, the engagement ratified, he
proceeded to ask a favour on his own account.
Would Charmides forgive his spendthrift son? The
old man hesitated a moment. “I hardly think it
right,” he said, “and yet I should not like to refuse
your first request. ‘Let it be as you wish.” Les-
bionicus, accordingly, was summoned, and greeted