ng to.[85] There are
in men, Demea, many signs from which a conjecture is easily formed;
{so that} when two persons do the same thing, you may often say, this
one may be allowed to do it with impunity, the other may not; not that
the thing {itself} is different, but that he is who does it. I see
{signs} in them, so as to feel confident that they will turn out as we
wish. I see that they have good sense and understanding, that they
have modesty upon occasion, {and} are affectionate to each other; you
may infer that their bent and disposition is of a pliant nature; at
any time you like you may reclaim them. But still, you may be
apprehensive that they will be somewhat too apt to neglect their
interests. O my {dear} Demea, in all other things we grow wiser with
age; this sole vice does old age bring upon men: we are all more
solicitous about our own interests than we need be; and in this
respect age will make them sharp enough.

DEM. Only {take care}, Micio, that these fine reasonings of yours, and
this easy disposition of yours, do not ruin us {in the end}.

MIC. Say no more; there's no danger of that. Now think no further of
these matters. Put yourself to-day into my hands; smooth your brow.

DEM. Why, as the occasion requires it, I must do so; but to-morrow {I
shall be off} with my son into the country at daybreak.

MIC. Aye, to-night, for my share; only keep yourself in good-humor for
the day.

DEM. I'll carry off that Music-girl along with me as well.

MIC. You will gain your point; by that means you will keep your son
fast there; only take care to secure her.

DEM. I'll see to that; and what with cooking and grinding, I'll take
care she shall be well covered with ashes, smoke, and meal; besides
{all} this, at the very mid-day[86] I'll set her gathering stubble;
I'll make her as burned and as black as a coal.

MIC. You quite delight me; now you seem to me to be wise; and for my
part I would then compel my son to go to bed with her, even though he
should be unwilling.

DEM. Do you banter me? Happy man, to have such a temper! I feel--

MIC. Ah! at it again!

DEM. I'll have done then at once.

MIC. Go in-doors then, and let's devote this day to the object[87] to
which it belongs. (_Goes into the house._)

SCENE IV.

_DEMEA alone._

DEM. Never was there any person of ever such well-trained habits of
life, but that experience, age, {and} custom are always bringing {him}
something new, {or} suggestin