“Behold the victim, which my son has long fed for his marriage, and the other things also are ready; both the barley-meal and the flour. A little wine, perhaps, may be wanting, but even this we can easily procure from the village.”
And her son standing near her, fixed his eyes wistfully upon his father-in-law.
The latter smilingly observed,—
“All delay now is on the lover’s part, who, perhaps, is anxious to fatten his pig.”
“As to her,” said the youth, “she is bursting with fat.”
Upon this the sophist, willing to aid the lover, interposed, and remarked,—
“But you must take care lest while the pig is fattening he himself grow thin.”
“The stranger’s remark is just,” said his mother; “for already he is more meagre than he used to be; and I have of late observed him to be wakeful at night, and to go forth from the cottage.”
“Oh! that,” said he, “was when the dogs barked, and I stepped out to see what was the matter.”
“Not you!” said his mother,—“but went moping about. Let us, therefore,” continued she, “put him to no further trial.”