"He can not see that our lady does anything but collect curiosities in this her search after art, and so he must needs add a contribution in this Stygian monster we saw yesterday evening." Laodice knew that they discussed Momus.
"Perhaps," the athlete said, "he bought this left-handed catapult thinking he might throw the discus farther than I can throw it." "Well enough," the woman with paint on her tunic put in; "she sent the monster packing.

He went out of the gates post-haste last night, they say." "The pretty stranger that came with him stayed, I observe," the athlete said.
"Pst!" the girl said in a low voice.

"Where are the man's eyes in your head, that you do not see her ?" "Looking at you!" the athlete answered.
"Too soon!" the child retorted.

"A good six years before I shall know what your looks mean!" "Is she, this pretty stranger, something of John's taste ?" the woman who had blue clay on her garment asked.
"Tut!" the athlete broke in.

"John never departed from his ancient barbarism to that extent.