of his workmen.

"Three times," was the answer "have I been myself to the man, but each
time he puffed himself out like a frog and answered me not a word, but
only sent me into a little room with his daughter--whom you must see, for
she is charming--and a miserable black slave, and there I found these few
wretched lamps that are now burning."

"Did you order him to come to me?"

"Three hours ago, and again a second time, when you were talking with
Papias."

The architect turned his back upon the foreman in angry haste, unrolled
the plan of the palace, quickly found upon it the abode of the
recalcitrant steward, seized a small red-clay lamp that was standing near
him, and being quite accustomed to guide himself by a plan, went straight
through the rooms, which were not a few, and by a long corridor from the
hall of the Muses, to the lodging of the negligent official. An unclosed
door led him into a dark ante-chamber followed by another room, and
finally into a large, well-furnished apartment. All these door-ways, into
what seemed to be at once the dining and sitting-room of the steward,
were bereft of doors, and could only be closed by stuff curtains, just
now drawn wide open. Pontius could therefore look in, unhindered and
unperceived, at the table on which a three-branched bronze lamp was
standing between a dish and some plates. The stout man was sitting with
his rubicund moon-face towards the architect, who, indignant as he was,
would have gone straight up to him with swift decision, if, before
entering the second room, a low but pitiful sob had not fallen on his
ear.

The sob proceeded from a slight young girl who came forward from a door
beyond the sitting-room, and who now placed a platter with a loaf on the
table by the steward.

"Come, do not cry, Selene," said the steward, breaking the bread slowly
and with an evident desire to soothe his child.

"How can I help crying," said the girl. "But tomorrow morning let me buy
a piece of meat for you; the physician forbade you to eat bread."

"Man must be filled," replied the fat man, "and meat is dear. I have nine
mouths to fill, not counting the slaves. And where am I to get the money
to fill us all with meat?"

"We need none, but for you it is necessary."

"It is of no use, child. The butcher will not trust us any more, the
other creditors press us, and at the end of the month we shall have just
ten drachmae left us."

The girl turned pale, and asked in