“Ay, ay, my boy!” replies the little woman, hysterically.
“Never do the other factions make such a noise when they win. ’Tis the Green! Oh that I could have helped my master to harness the horses!”
“The days have been happy since thou didst enter the house, my mistress,” exclaims Nana, appearing in the corridor. “Each day brings added joy.”
The little humpback shyly looks from the door of the kitchen.
“Come, Lupa! Share our happiness. Thy master is again the hero of the Green faction.”
Some time after, a second cheering is heard. This time it appears nearer. The little woman hastens to the door and looks towards the Via Appia. She sees the victor, crowned with olive and with a palm branch in his hand, coming towards her, escorted by an admiring throng. So filled is she with an indescribable feeling of joy that she rushes towards him, crying, “Gyges, O my Gyges!”
The charioteer, not less excited than the little woman, hastens his steps, and seizing her in his arms and kissing her, exclaims: “O Psyche, my little wife, what intense happiness is ours!”
A new cry of enthusiasm rises from the crowd. At the door of his home Gyges turns to them and says: “Friends, ye are no happier than I am! ’Twas a hard-earned victory. May the Greens always trust me! These muscles are always at their service! At the inn of Furnius I have ordered four thousand cups of wine to be given away. Fare ye well! May Hermes always be gracious towards us, as he has been this day!”
After another prolonged cheer the crowd departs.
In the peristyle, with his arms extended as far as he is able towards his master, Aldo leans from his couch. Gyges takes the extended hands in his. The lad covers those of his master with kisses. “I am so happy! so happy! so happy, my master!” he cries, with large tears gushing from his eyes.