284 DIPHILUS.

“Walk along the shore,” answered Palestra; “we
must come to some place sooner or later.”

Amp. “What! with these dripping clothes?”

Pal. “There is no help for it.”

Amp. “Stay! stay! don’t you see the temple
there?”

Pal. “Where?” ,

Amp. “To the right; and a very pretty temple it
seems.” .

Pal. “Well, if there is a temple, there must be
people about. Let us go there.” aN

So the girls went and fell on their knees in the
porch, and prayed: “Dear god or goddess, whoever
thou art, hear us, and help two unhappy women.”

The priestess, who was sitting inside, heard them
and came out.

“Good morning, mother,” said the girls.

“Good morning, my children,” answered the priest-
ess. “ But how is it you come in such a sorry plight?
We expect our visitors to be dressed in white, and to
bring offerings with them.” : :

“Yes, dear mother; but then we have been. ship-
wrecked, and had nothing to bring, and nothing to
wear but what you see. Do help us, pray, and give
us something to eat.”

“So I will, poor creatures,” said the priestess,
making them get up from their knees, “We are
very poor here, you must know,” she went on; “I
serve Aphrodité, but I get nothing for it: I have to
keep myself.”