le
Hermon, seizing the huge goblet which had just been filled with wine and
water for him drained it at one long draught. Then, with sigh of relief,
he restored it to its place, raised his hand and his blinded eyes
heavenward, and offered a brief, fervent thanksgiving to his mother's
soul and the great Demeter, whom, he might now believe it himself, he
had honoured with a masterpiece which had extorted warm admiration even
from a connoisseur unfriendly his art.

When Gras returned, he said, with a grin of satisfaction, that the
goldsmith was like all the rest of his countrymen. The artists did not
owe him another drachm; the never-to-be-forgotten Myrtilus had paid for
the work ordered by Hermon also.

Then, for the first time since he had been led on board the ship, a gay
laugh rang fro the blind man's lips, rising in deep, pure, joyous tones
from his relieved breast.

The faithful gray eyes of honest Gras glittered with tears at the
musical tones, and how ardently he wished for his beloved mistress
when the sculptor, not content with this, exclaimed as gleefully as in
happier days: "Hitherto I have had no real pleasure from my successful
work, old Gras, but it is awaking now! If my Myrtilus were still alive,
and these miserable eyes yet possessed the power of rejoicing in the
light and in beautiful human forms, by the dog! I would have the mixing
vessels filled, wreath after wreath brought, boon companions summoned,
and with flute-playing, songs, and fiery words, offer the Muses,
Demeter, and Dionysus their due meed of homage!"

Gras declared that this wish might easily be fulfilled. There was no
lack of wine or drinking cups on the vessel, the flute-players whom he
had heard in the Odeum at Tanis did not understand their business amiss,
flowers and wreaths could be obtained, and all who spoke Greek in Tennis
would accept his invitation.

But the Bithynian soon regretted this proposal, for it fell like a
hoar-frost upon the blind man's happy mood. He curtly declined. He would
not play host where he was himself a guest, and pride forbade him to use
the property of others as though it were his own.

He could not regain his suddenly awakened pleasure in existence before
Gras warned him it was time to go to rest. Not until he was alone in the
quiet cabin did the sense of joy in his first great success overpower
him afresh.

He might well feel proud delight in the work which he had created, for
he had accomplished