Now help yourself. Man, can't you make your hand
larger than that? Well, it will suffice to pay for a summer holiday. I
see a cloak there which may serve to protect this slave from the chill
air of the night. In case it should be claimed, perhaps these five
pieces will pay for it. Most noble and courteous sir, again I thank you.
Young woman, throw this over your bare shoulders and your head; that
necklace might tempt the dishonest.
"Now, if our guide is ready we will be going. Slave, bring the basket,
at the weight of which you need no longer groan, and you, young woman,
strap on this other basket; it is as well that you should begin to be
instructed in your domestic duties, for I tell you at once that having
heard much of the skill of the Jews in those matters, I have bought you
to be my cook and to attend to the dressing of my hair. Farewell, sir,
farewell; may we never meet again."
"Farewell," replied the astonished auctioneer, "farewell, my lady
Mulier, who can afford to give two thousand sestertia for a cook! Good
luck to you, and if you are always as liberal as this, may we meet once
a month, say I. Yet have no fear," he added meaningly, "I know when I
have been well treated and shall not seek you out--even to please Caesar
himself.
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