Æacus became furious.
"You practise medicine?"
"I practise medicine," sighed Ursus timidly.
"On living things?"
"Rather than on dead ones," said Ursus.
Ursus defended himself stoutly, but dully; an admirable mixture, in which meekness predominated. He spoke with such gentleness that Doctor Æacus felt that he must insult him.
"What are you murmuring there?" said he rudely.
Ursus was amazed, and restricted himself to saying,—
"Murmurings are for the young, and moans for the aged. Alas, I moan!"
Æacus replied,—