re, where I am daily; for this
reason, because, just as you act at home, I am spoken of abroad. Some
time since, indeed, I heard that Philumena had taken a dislike to you;
nor did I the least wonder at it; indeed, if she hadn't done so, it
would have been more surprising. But I did not suppose that she would
have gone so far as to hate even the whole of the family; if I had
known {that}, she should have remained here in preference, {and} you
should have gone away. But consider how undeservedly these vexations
arise on your account, Sostrata; I went to live in the country, in
compliance with your request, and to look after my affairs, in order
that my circumstances might be able to support your lavishness and
comforts, not sparing my own exertions, beyond what's reasonable and
my time of life allows. That you should take no care, in return for
all this, that there should be nothing to vex me!

SOS. Upon my word, through no means or fault of mine has this taken
place.

LACH. Nay, {through you} in especial; you were the only person here;
on you alone, Sostrata, falls all the blame. You ought to have taken
care of matters here, as I had released you from other anxieties. Is
it not a disgrace for an old woman to pick a quarrel with a girl? You
will say it was her fault.

SOS. Indeed I do not say so, my {dear} Laches.

LACH. I am glad of that, so may the Gods prosper me, for my son's
sake. I am quite sure {of this}, that no fault of yours can possibly
put you in a worse light.

SOS. How do you know, my husband, whether she may not have pretended
to dislike me, on purpose that she might be more with her mother?

LACH. What say you {to this}? Is it not proof sufficient, when
yesterday no one was willing to admit you into the house, when you
went to see her?

SOS. Why, they told me that she was very ill just then; for that
reason I was not admitted to her.

LACH. I fancy that your humors are more her malady than any thing
else; and with good reason in fact, for there is not one of you but
wants her son to take a wife; and the match which has taken your fancy
must be the one; when, at your solicitation, they have married,
{then}, at your solicitation, they are to put them away again.

SCENE II.

_Enter PHIDIPPUS from his house._

PHID. (_speaking to PHILUMENA within._) Although I am aware,
Philumena, that I have the right to compel you to do what I order,
still, being swayed by the feelings of a father, I will