Geta. All our hopes, Hegio, are centred in you; you we have for our only friend; you are our protector, our father. The old man, Simulus, when dying, recommended us to you; if you forsake us, we are undone.
Heg. Beware how you mention that; I neither will do it, nor do I think thaat; with due regard to the ties of relationship, I could.
Dem. (apart.) I’ll accost him. (Approaches Hegio.) Hegio, I bid you welcome right heartily.
Heg. (starting.) Oh! I you are the very man I was looking for. Greetings to you, Demea.
Dem. Why, what’s the matter?
Heg. Your eldest son Æschinus, whom you gave to your brother to adopt, has been acting the part of neither an honest man nor a gentleman.
Dem. What has he been doing?
Heg. You knew my friend and year’s-mate, Simulus?
Dem. Why not?
Heg. He has debauched his daughter, a virgin.