“Forgive me, my lord, but I had asked three times to be admitted. I heard you speaking to yourself....”
“You heard?”
“Not a word, my lord. You muttered through your teeth—only disconnected words—I thought you were vexed and angry with the slaves....”
“And you came to comfort me?” asked Stephanus smiling. “It is well that I have you; for the next few weeks you will have heavy work on hand. Shut the door and sit down on the couch there.”
“Heavy work?” asked the boy disconsolately. “What, am I to carry water; or till the fields? Am I to be as miserable as the others are?”
Stephanus laughed, and patted the lad’s beardless cheek.
“Not yet, my boy. I have chosen you for something better than that. What I have for you to do is serious and very difficult, but amusing and interesting; and if you accomplish the task, you shall be—well, you shall be free. Do you hear, Antinous, free? And rich besides, for I will give you an estate....”
“My lord, you know that my devotion is boundless. Only a few hours since I risked my life for two thousand miserable sesterces....”
“Not too rashly, I imagine. You thought that discretion was the better part of valor!”
“Pardon me, but you are mistaken. I rushed down upon him, when he was surrounded by his clients and slaves; and if I had not slipped away at the very instant....”