Soc.: And to which of the two would be entrusted the task of unravelling the sense.
Mr. F.: To the cleverer, undoubtedly.
Soc.: Therefore the less clever would do the drudge work: that is to say, he would never bring his mind to bear upon the passage: and the imaginative work would be done for him by his companion.
Mr. F.: It would seem so, Socrates.
Soc.: Yet the system is approved as an honest one by the authorities and the work of the drudge is accepted as solitary and unaided labour.
Mr. F.: That is so, Socrates.
Soc.: Now, is this task of translation limited to the co-operation of two persons, or may three or more persons take their share in it?
Mr. F.: As many persons may take their share in it as may conveniently be crowded into a study measuring eight feet by four.
Soc.: I understand. Suppose now that three persons are preparing a passage together. We have agreed, have we not, that this work can be divided into two duties only?
Mr. F.: That is so.