Mic. Æschinus!

Æsch. (aside.) What can be his business here?

Mic. Was it you knocking at this door? (Aside.) He is silent. Why shouldn’t I rally him a little? It would be as well, as he was never willing to trust me with this secret. (To Æschinus.) Don’t you answer me?

Æsch. (confusedly.) It wasn’t I knocked at that door, that I know of.

Mic. Just so; for I wondered what business you could have here. (Apart.) He blushes; all’s well.

Æsch. Pray tell me, father, what business have you there?

Mic. Why, none of my own; but a certain friend of mine just now brought me hither from the Forum to give him some assistance.

Æsch. Why?

Mic. I’ll tell you. There are some women living here; in impoverished circumstances, as I suppose you don’t know them; and, in fact, I’m quite sure, for it is not long since they removed to this place.

Æsch. Well, what next?