314 MENANDER.

De. “Now, do it.”

“sch. “Don’t make any trouble about it,”

Mi. “Well, it is absurd; it is quite contrary to all
that I have ever done and said. Still, if you are so
anxious for it, I will.” :

Then Demea explained himself. “I wanted to
show you, Micio,” he said, “that all your easiness
and good-nature did not come from true kindness,
but from a lazy habit of giving way to others. If
you, A#schinus, persist in disliking me because I do
not choose to approve of everything that you do, be
it good or bad, let it be so; go your way, you and
your brother, waste and spoil as much as you please.
But if you think that after all it would be well that,
where you, in your youth and inexperience, fail to
see clearly, and are ready to buy your pleasures too
dearly, I should step in, advising and criticising,
while not failing to give way on proper occasions, I
am at your service.”

“You are right,” said AEschinus; “ you know far
better than we do what ought to be done. And how
about my brother?”

“T forgive him,” replied Demea. “Now that he
is married, he will, I hope, behave himself respect-
ably.”