As I said, Zeitgeist does not care to move about much. So I have amused myself with reading the last anecdote in the “Entertainments” of Kapnides. Here it is:—
A general feeling of content prevailed in the house of Zeus & Co. “We shall declare,” said Zeus, “such a dividend as never was.”
“We shall,” said Co.
Zeus & Co. occupied the two thrones at the back of the large hall. During the last spring-cleaning, Zeus had ordered his own throne to be regilded. Nothing had been done to the other throne, which was occupied by Co. But Co. was quite humble. As a general rule he merely echoed the sentiments of Zeus. If he felt the difference between the two thrones, he had never mentioned it. Perhaps it might be as well to notice that all the shares were in the hands of Zeus & Co. They were the directors, and also the shareholders. By this arrangement much unpleasantness was avoided.
But at this moment an old gentleman in a very shiny coat rose from the desk at the farther end of the hall, and stepped towards the thrones. He looked at Zeus, coughed a little nervously, and began:
“Mr. Zeus, and also Mr. Co., you will excuse me, but I’ve a little matter to bring before you, in my position as Chief Agent in the Punishment Department.”
“By all means,” said Zeus kindly. “There’s nothing wrong, I hope. It’s a good department.”
“A very good and profitable department,” echoed Co.
“Well, Mr. Zeus, you will probably remember that you assigned to me a young subordinate, a mere boy, called Eros.”