"By all means," said the other.
"And you will not be annoyed if I tell you the plain truth?"
(11) "On the contrary, it will comfort me to know I have not been wronged."
"Well, then, Chrysantas never waited to be called; he came of his own accord on our behalf, and he made it his business to do, not merely what he was ordered, but whatever he thought would help us. When something had to be said to the allies, he would not only suggest what was fitting for me to say myself, he would guess what I wanted the allies to know but could not bring myself to utter, since it was about myself, and he would say it for me as though it were his own opinion; in fact, for everything of the kind he was nothing less to me than a second and a better self. And now he is always insisting that what he has already got is quite enough for himself, and always trying to discover something more for me: he takes a greater pride and joy in all my triumphs than I do myself."
(12) "By Hera," said Hystaspas, "I am right glad I asked you. Only one thing puzzles me: how am I to show my joy at your success? Shall I clap my hands and laugh, or what shall I do?"
"Dance the Persian dance, of course," said Artabazus. And all the company laughed.
(13) And as the drinking deepened Cyrus put a question to Gobryas.
"Tell me, Gobryas, would you be better pleased to give your daughter to one of our company to-day than the day when you met us first?"
"Well," said Gobryas, "am I also to tell the truth?"
"Certainly," said Cyrus, "no question looks for a lie."