Enter Laches.
Lach. (to himself.) I have this advantage[104] from my country-house being so near at hand; no weariness, either of country or of town, ever takes possession of me; when satiety begins to come on, I change my locality. But is not that our Parmeno? Surely it is he. Whom are you waiting for, Parmeno, before the door here?
Par. (pretends not to see him.) Who is it? (Turning round.) Oh, I’m glad that you have returned safe.
Lach. Whom are you waiting for?
Par. (aside.) I’m undone: my tongue cleaves to my mouth through fright.
Lach. Why, what is it you are trembling about? Is all quite right? Tell me.
Par. Master, in the first place, I would have you persuaded of what is the fact; whatever has happened in this affair has happened through no fault of mine.
Lach. What is it?
Par. Really you have reason to ask. I ought first to have told you the circumstances. Phædria purchased a certain Eunuch, to make a present of to this woman here.
Lach. To what woman?