Here we are people of consequence, and if it were only to make things pleasant for the slaves we must behave as though we had never known people who take their meals squatted round an earthen bowl, and clawing out the broken meat.

Enjoy the gifts of the present--who knows how long this golden hour may last! Ah, wife, it reminds us of former times! It would be very pleasant to be like this, side by side, and help ourselves from a table all our own to dainty dishes which we had not assisted in cooking.

For you, old woman, have done everything with your own hands for so long, that you deserve to have some one to wait on you for once." A little table was placed by each divan and covered with appetizing food; the steward mixed some fine wine of the country with fresh, clear water, Orpheus offered the libation, and Karnis spiced the meal with jests and tales of his youth, of which he had been reminded by his meeting with his old friend and comrade Olympius.
Dada interrupted him frequently, laughing more loudly and recklessly than usual; she was in a fever of excitement and Herse did not fail to remark it.

The good woman was somewhat uneasy.

The very fact that her husband always gave himself up heart and soul to the influences of the hour--though she was glad that he should enjoy this good fortune to the utmost--made her look beyond the present into the future.