He was always glad to take some comfort into the narrow home of his parents, who were poor, and to maintain his younger brother Teuker--who had devoted himself to the same art--during the years of his apprenticeship.
Again and again he had thought of telling his master that he should start on his own footing and earn laurels for himself, but what then would become of those who relied on his help, if he gave up his regular earnings and if he got no commissions when there were so many unknown beginners eager for them?
Of what avail were all his ability and the most honest good-will if no opportunity offered for his executing his work in noble materials?
With his own means he certainly was in no position to do so.
While he was talking to his parents Papias had opened his transactions with the architect.

Pontius explained to the sculptor what was required and Papias listened attentively; he never interrupted the speaker, but only stroked his face from time to time, as if to make it smoother than it was already, though it was shaved with peculiar care and formed and colored like a warm mask; meanwhile draping the front of his rich blue toga, which he wore in the fashion of a Roman senator, into fresh folds.
But when Pontius showed him, at the end of the rooms destined for the Emperor, the last of the statues to be restored, and which needed a new grin, Papias said decisively: "It cannot be done." "That is a rash verdict," replied the architect.

"Do you not know the proverb, which, being such a good one, is said to have been first uttered by more than one sage: 'That it shows more ill-judgment to pronounce a thing impossible than to boast that we can achieve a task however much it may seem to transcend our powers.'" Papias smiled and looked down at his gold-embroidered shoes as he said: "It is more difficult to us sculptors to imagine ourselves waging Titanic warfare against the impossible, than it is to you who work with enormous masses.

I do not yet see the means which would give me courage to begin the attack." "I will tell you," replied Pontius quickly and decidedly.

"On your side good-will, plenty of assistants and night-watchers; on ours, the Caesar's approval and plenty of gold." After this the transaction came to a prompt and favorable issue, and the architect could but express his entire approbation, in most cases, of the sculptor's judicious and well-considered suggestions.
"Now I must go home," concluded Papias.