“Two twin girls, my dear, as pink as wax dolls. You can go and see them tonight; she will show them to you.”
“Oh! how lovely! Two little courtesans. What are their names?”
“They are both called Pannychis, because they were born on the day before the Aphrodisiæ. It is a divine presage. They will be pretty.”
She replaced the child upon her feet, and turning to Demetrios:
“What do you think of my daughter? Have I the right to be proud of her?”
“You have the right to be satisfied with one another,” he answered gravely.
“Kiss mamma,” said Melitta.
He silently imprinted a kiss between her breasts. Pythias returned it to him upon the mouth, and they separated.
Demetrios and the child advanced a few more paces beneath the trees, whilst the courtesan receded into the distance, turning her head as she walked. At last they reached their goal, and Melitta said:
“It is here.”