The superior airs assumed had been offensive to him in the beginning; soon they became irritating, and at last an acute smart.

Anger lies close by this point in all of us; and that the satirist evoked in another way.

To the Jew of the Herodian period patriotism was a savage passion scarcely hidden under his common humor, and so related to his history, religion, and God that it responded instantly to derision of them.

Wherefore it is not speaking too strongly to say that Messala's progress down to the last pause was exquisite torture to his hearer; at that point the latter said, with a forced smile, "There are a few, I have heard, who can afford to make a jest of their future; you convince me, O my Messala, that I am not one of them." The Roman studied him; then replied, "Why not the truth in a jest as well as a parable?
The great Fulvia went fishing the other day; she caught more than all the company besides.

They said it was because the barb of her hook was covered with gold." "Then you were not merely jesting ?" "My Judah, I see I did not offer you enough," the Roman answered, quickly, his eyes sparkling.