The parasol twirled.
“Oh, things could be arranged...”
I did not doubt this. But not knowing the relationship between Kleis and Mallia, remained silent. My silence seemed to exasperate Rhodopis.
“Of course, you could send Kleis to a thiase in Andros,” she exclaimed. I refused to flinch. Sending one’s daughter to school elsewhere was to admit one’s own school had failed. Rhodopis knew this, as well as I.
“Or, I could dismiss Mallia, but then, where would the lovers meet? And if he took her home with him...”
I still waited. Somewhere there was a trap. Rhodopis had not written, then met me, without a purpose.
“Perhaps you have given too much thought to family honor, Sappho. So critical of Charaxos...of me.” Her voice had grown confidential.
“If Kleis has done anything foolish, I am willing to accept the responsibility,” I said.
“And the consequence, too...with my husband?”
I stood up, brushing off the bench dust.