His son need look for no wealth, he added with a laugh, since he would some day inherit his aunt's.
In fact, Praxilla owned a fine fortune, increasing daily under the care of Andreas, and she replied: "If the young couple behave so well that I do not rather choose to bestow my pittance on worthier heirs." But the implied threat had not disturbed Polybius, for he knew his sister's ways.

The shriveled, irritable old lady often spoke words hard to be forgiven, but she had not a bad heart; and when she learned that Diodoros was in danger, she felt only how much she loved him, and her proposal to go to the town next morning to nurse him was sincerely meant.
But when her brother retorted: "Go, by all means; I do not prevent you!" she started up, exclaiming: "And you, and your aches and pains! How you get on when once my back is turned, we know by experience.

My presence alone is medicine to you." "And a bitter dose it is very often," replied the old man, with a laugh; but Praxilla promptly retorted: "Like all effectual remedies.

There is your ingratitude again!" The last words were accompanied by a whimper, so Polybius, who could not bear to see any but cheerful faces, raised his cup and drank her health with kindly words.

Then refilling the tankard, he poured a libation, and was about to empty it to Melissa's health, but Praxilla's lean frame was standing by his side as quickly as though a serpent had stung her.