Wife, why do you not weep?"
"Because I rejoice," answered Julia calmly. "Thirty years of war and
bloodshed are enough for any man. You have done your work. It is time
that you should rest who have been spared so long, and at least I have
saved while you were away, and there will be food to fill our mouths."
"Yes, yes, wife, and as it happens, more than you think, since
Vespasian, being gracious and pleased with my report, has granted me
half-pay for all my life, to say nothing of a gratuity and a share of
the spoil, whatever that may bring. Still I grieve, who can never hope
to lift spear more."
"Grieve not, for thus I would have had it, Gallus. But what of this
maid?"
"Well, I made my report about her, as I was bound to do, and at first
Domitian, Caesar's son, being curious to see her, prompted Vespasian to
order that she should be brought to the palace. Almost Caesar spoke the
word, then a thought seemed to strike him and he was silent, whereon I
said that she had been very sick and still needed care and nursing, and
that if it was his will, my wife could tend her until such time as Titus
Caesar, whose spoil she was, might arrive. Again Domitian interrupted,
but Vespasian answered, 'The Jewish maid is not your slave, Domitian,
or my slave.
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