Now I have come to a decision and I will confide it to you.

We must buy a new manslave." "But father!" cried Arsinoe, "think what it will cost you.

If we have another man to feed--" "There is no question of that," replied Keraunus.

"I will exchange the old one for a younger one that I need not be ashamed to be seen with.
Yesterday I told you that henceforth we shall attract greater attention than hitherto, and really if we appear with that black scarecrow at our heels in the streets or elsewhere--" "Certainly we cannot make much show Sebek," interrupted Arsinoe, "but we can leave him at home for the future." "Child, child!" exclaimed Keraunus reproachfully, "will you never remember who and what we are.

How would it beseem us to appear in the streets without a slave ?" The girl shrugged her shoulders, and put it to her father that Sebek was an old piece of family property, that the little ones were fond of him because he cared for them like a nurse, that a new slave would cost a great deal and would only be driven by force to many services which the old one was always ready and willing to fulfil.
But Arsinoe preached to deaf ears.