_Pam._ (_presenting Gorgo_). This is the lady, sir. My father, miss.
_Chr._ (_aside_). She is handsomely dressed. (_To Gorgo_) I am very proud To make your acquaintance. I hope the day may be fortunate. ’Twas kind of you now to come.
_Gor._ Why, bless your heart, old man, I thank ye: but all the same I came to please myself.
_Pam._ And this is the lady she brings with her.
_Chr._ (_to Antiphila_). Ah, good-day. You are welcome, welcome all. Again, good Clitipho. Philolaches, I think. Good-day to you, sir! My word! What a gigantic bundle!
_Chr._ Shame to load you thus! You know the proverb, _The willing horse_. Pray set them down. I’ll send a servant to take them.
_Chr._ Why, yes: and I’ll call my wife: excuse me, ladies—a moment. Sostrata, Sostrata!... [_Goes into house calling._
_Pam._ (_to Ph._). Follow me quick: this way, before my father is back.
[_Exeunt Pam. and Phil. into house at back._
_Ant._ Nay, you must tell me first What made you go away.
_Clin._ I could not help it, love; My father—
_Ant._ O, I know; but is he not kinder now?
_Chr._ Ladies, my wife’s within. 620 She begs you’ll enter. Why! & where is Philolaches? Clitipho, pray go in—no ceremony, sir— And take this lady with you. I follow.
[_Exeunt Clinia and Antiphila with servant within._
_Chr._ (_to Gorgo_). With you I beg one word of explanation alone, Ere we go in—one word—
_Chr._ I do not wish to seem to meddle in your affairs.
_Chr._ Believe me, that, if I interfere, It is for your good.
_Gor._ I know, sir, and thank you very kindly.
_Chr._ I broach the matter at once; my maxim has always been, _Straight to the business._
_Gor._ Well, I don’t dislike you for that.
_Chr._ Then am I not right in thinking you have never so much as met 611 Old Menedemus?
_Chr._ Stay. Perhaps You don’t know who I mean.
_Chr._ (_aside_). Whatdyecallem! well!—He is Clinia’s father; yes.
_Chr._ Why ’tis thus. (_aside_) What was I going to say?
_Chr._ Ay, the long and the short of the matter is this. I know your story—let me see—do I know your name?
_Chr._ Ay, to be sure. Well, Gorgo, I know your story, But do not charge on you the unhappy consequence Of a rash attachment. No. Young men will be young men, 640 And women are—women; no blame to them. But the fact is this: That being on intimate terms with Clinia’s family, I have been entrusted by them, as one unprejudiced, To enquire, to judge & advise, and, if I can, to find A _Modus vivendi_: you, Gorgo, of course are well aware That your lover, whose absence has had no doubt its effect on you— That Clinia’s running away from home, I say, was due To his father’s disapproval of your attachment: that Gave rise to disagreement; and Clinia, balancing ’Twixt love & duty, fled from home, & is now abroad, Madly risking his life in Asia. Why do you laugh?