Action must not halt behind decision, but follow it quickly and sharply, as the sound follows the blow.

You, Marthana, mix some of the brown fever-potion, and prepare some bandages; you have the key." "I will help her," cried Sirona, who was glad to prove herself useful, and who was sincerely sorry for the sick old hermit; besides, Hermas seemed to her like a discovery of her own, for whom she involuntarily felt more consideration since she had learned that he was the son of a man of rank.
While the young women were busy at the medicine-cupboard, Antonius and Polykarp left the room.
The latter had already crossed the threshold, when he turned once more, and cast a long look at Sirona.

Then, with a hasty movement, he went on, closed the door, and with a heavy sigh descended the stairs.
As soon as his sons were gone, Petrus turned to the steward again.
"What is wrong with the slave Anubis ?" he asked.
"He is--wounded, hurt," answered Jethro, "and for the next few days will be useless.

The goat-girl Miriam--the wild cat--cut his forehead with her reaping hook." "Why did I not hear of this sooner ?" cried Dorothea reprovingly.

"What have you done to the girl ?" "We have shut her up in the hay loft," answered Jethro, "and there she is raging and storming." The mistress shook her head disapprovingly.