"He can do nothing to save his mother, any more than you can help being a child of twenty and bound to hold your tongue till your opinion is asked." ...........................
The family of musicians had all met on board the barge which was lying at anchor in the lake, off the ship-yard.

Orpheus had just been an eye-witness of the disturbance which prevailed throughout the city, and the wild howls and cries that were audible in the distance confirmed his report; but the waters of the lake were an unruffled mirror of blue, the slaves in the ship-yard were at work as usual, and the cooing turtle-doves flew from palm to palm.
No signs of troubled times were to be seen in the floating home of the wanderers.

The steward had provided for everything.

There were rooms and beds to spare in the vessel; the large deck-cabin was a comfortable sitting-room, and from the little galley at the prow came a savory smell of cooking and a cheerful clang of pots and pans.
"This is living!" exclaimed Karnis, stretching himself comfortably on a divan.

"This abode seems made on purpose for our noble selves! Sit down, mother, make yourself at home.