THE BROTHERS. 313

to fulfil the engagement which. he was thought to
have broken off; and Micio was willing to start his
other’ nephew in life with a handsome. present: of
money. Demea, finding that amiability:and com-
plaisance were the order of the day, determined to
fashion his own behaviour accordingly, though he
slyly contrived to make his - good-natured: brother
bear the burden of the general benevolence.  Syrus
was to receive his liberty as an encouragement. to
honest servants ; Hegio, who had taken up the cause
of Aéschinus’s neglected bride, was to have his pov-
erty relieved by the present of a little farm. Finally,
the young lady’s mother was to be provided for, arid
in view of this object, what could be a more con-
venient fact than that Micio was a bachelor?
“ Brother,” said Demea, “there is your daughter-in-
law’s mother, a very reputable lady.”

Mi. “So I am told.”

De. “A little advanced in years, and a lone
woman.” :

Mi. (aside). “What is the man after?”

De. “Don’t you think that you ought to marry
her?”

‘Mt. “T marry when I am sixty-five years old, and
marry an old woman! Is that what you want?”

Eschinus. “Oh, do, father! In fact, I have prom-
ised you would.”

Mi. “You have promised I would! . Keep your
breath to cool your own porridge, my son,”