Agrippa overheard the low answer, and turned upon him irritably.
"I have said that I do not depart until after the Feast of Flora," he remarked.
"The men of the sea do not expect fair winds before three days," Marsyas replied, "wherefore we must abide until after the Feast."
"But my raiment is not prepared," Agrippa protested.
"Thou goest hence, my lord, to Rome, to be dressed by the masters of the science of raiment," Marsyas assured him.
Classicus raised his head and addressed to the Essene the first remark since the memorable night of Marsyas' arrival in Alexandria.
"What a game it is," he opined amiably, "to see thee managing this slippery Herod!"
Agrippa flushed angrily, but Marsyas did not await the retort.
"My brother's pardon," he said, "but the Herod has fine discrimination between cares becoming his exalted place, and the labors of a steward."
Agrippa's face relaxed, but Classicus broke off the swinging end of a vine that reached over his shoulder and slowly pulled it to pieces.