Who else had it?
I will make you a lesson to all the slaves in my house.

They need one badly.

I will get another serving-boy who will be more careful." Agias was deathly pale; the beads of sweat stood out on his forehead; he grasped convulsively at the hem of his mistress's robe, and murmured wildly of "mercy! mercy!" Pratinas stood back with his imperturbable smile on his face; and if he felt the least pity for his fellow-countryman, he did not show it.
"Alfidius awaits the mistress," announced Semiramis, with trembling lips.
Into the room came a brutish, hard-featured, shock-headed man, with a large scar, caused by branding, on his forehead.

He carried a short rope and scourge,[44]--a whip with a short handle to which were attached three long lashes, set at intervals with heavy bits of bronze.

He cast one glance over the little group in the room, and his dull piglike eyes seemed to light up with a fierce glee, as he comprehended the situation.
[44] _Flagellum_.
"What does your ladyship wish ?" he growled.
"Take this wretched boy," cried Valeria, spurning Agias with her foot; "take him away.