Yes, and when he sees you there, he will invite you to the feast. Orestes I shall be a bitter companion in the feast, if the god wishes it. Old man After that, you yourself invent something, as it falls out. Orestes Well said. But my mother, where is she? Old man At Argos ; but she will join her husband for the feast. Orestes Why didn’t my mother set out with her husband? Old man From fear of the citizens’ reproach she stayed behind. Orestes I understand; she knows that the city suspects her. Old man Something like that; for an unholy woman is an object of hatred. Orestes How then shall I kill her and him at once? Electra I shall prepare my mother’s slaughter! Orestes And as for the other matter, fortune will ordain well. Electra Let this man here help us with both. Old man I will; but how will you find a way to kill your mother? Electra Go to Clytemnestra, old man, and say this: report that I have given birth to a male child. Old man That you have given birth some time ago, or quite recently? Electra Ten days ago, in which a woman who has given birth stays pure. Old man And how does this grant us the slaughter of your mother? Electra She will come, when she hears of my childbirth pangs. Old man How is that? Do you think she cares for you, child? Electra Yes; and she will weep, surely, over my child’s low rank. Old man Perhaps; bring your story back again to the turning-point. Electra Well then, if she comes, it is clear that she will die. Old man Yes, she will come right up to the door of your house. Electra Won’t it then be a little thing for her to turn aside to Hades? Old man May I die, once I have seen this! Electra First of all, old man, guide my brother— Old man To the place where Aegisthus is now sacrificing to the gods? Electra Then, going to meet my mother, give her my message. Old man So that the very words will seem to have been said by you.