Then I, too, should have a son!--Hear, lofty Olympians, a good, strong, noble son! Help me up, my boy.

How well I feel! Haven't I gained in you two stout legs and arms?
Only let the old woman come to me to-day! The conjurer taught me how to meet her." Leaning on Phaon's strong shoulder he joyously went out of the house, greeted his handsome young nephew as well as his brother, and said: "Let Phaon live with Xanthe in my house, which will soon be his own, for I am feeble and need help." "With all my heart," cried Protarch, "and it will be well on every account, for, for--well, it must come out, for I, foolish graybeard--" "Well ?" asked Lysander, and Semestre curved her hand into a shell and held it to her ear to hear better.
"I--just look at me--I, Protarch, Dionysius's son, can no longer bear to stay in the house all alone with that silent youth and old Jason, and so I have--perhaps it is a folly, but certainly no crime--so I have chosen a new wife in Messina." "Protarch!" cried Lysander, raising his hands in astonishment; but Phaon nodded to his father approvingly, exchanging a joyous glance with Xanthe.
"He has chosen my mother's younger sister," said Leonax.
"The younger, yes, but not the youngest," interrupted Protarch.

"You must have your wedding in three days, children.

Phaon will live here in your house, Lysander, with his Xanthe, end I in the old one yonder with my Praxilla.

Directly after your marriage I shall go back to Messina with Leonax and bring home my wife." "We have long needed a mistress in the house, and I bless your bold resolution!" exclaimed Jason.
"Yes, you were always brave," said the invalid.
"But not so very courageous this time as it might seem," answered Protarch, smiling.