‘The gods overlook us,’ said Fabricius, with a quiver in his voice, while the lips of the other curled in scorn.
‘The impudent scoundrel, whom you sent to pilot me to his supposed discovery, demanded two thousand sesterces ere he would budge. It is horrible, but I was forced to pay the extortioner. I would not mention it, uncle, but for my misfortune of being not too well provided with property.’
‘It shall cost thee no more than it ever has,’ returned [pg 23]Fabricius; ‘thou shalt have it back and another two thousand, as well, for thy kindness.’
‘Nay—I should seem to make a trade of robbing you like the rest of them.’
‘Say no more, nephew, I insist upon it.’
The other shrugged his shoulders and was silent, and so they reached the foot of the Quirinal Hill, upon which the house was situated where Fabricius was to dine. Here Afer halted.
‘You are for the bath then?’ said Fabricius.
‘Even so; and then to dine with Apicius.’
‘Ah! we old-fashioned men dine at an old-fashioned hour. This Apicius gives feasts such as we could never dream of.’
‘The finest in Rome.’