Dem. Very much so.
Phor. And this is what I’m come to tell you, Demipho, that I’m quite ready; whenever you please, give me my wife. For I postponed all my other business, as was fit I should, when I understood that you were so very desirous to have it so.
Dem. (pointing to Chremes.) But he has dissuaded me from giving her to you. “For what,” says he, “will be the talk among people if you do this? Formerly, when she might have been handsomely disposed of, then she wasn’t given; now it’s a disgrace for her to be turned out of doors, a repudiated woman;” pretty nearly, in fact, all the reasons which you yourself, some little time since, were urging to me.
Phor. Upon my faith, you are treating me in a very insulting manner.
Dem. How so?
Phor. Do you ask me? Because I shall not be able to marry the other person I mentioned; for with what face shall I return to her whom I’ve slighted?
Chrem. Then besides, I see that Antipho is unwilling to part with her. (Aside, prompting Demipho.) Say so.
Dem. Then besides, I see that my son is very unwilling to part with the damsel. But have the goodness to step over to the Forum, and order this money to be transferred to my account,[85] Phormio.
Phor. What, when I’ve paid it over to the persons to whom I was indebted?
Dem. What’s to be done, then?