He isn’t any where to be seen. Woe to wretched me! the fellow has left me and is off. DAVUS (coming forward and pretending not to see them.) Ye Gods, by our trust in you! what a crowd there is in the Forum! What a lot of people are squabbling there! (Aloud.) Then provisions are so dear. (Aside.) What to say besides, I don’t know. (CHREMES passes by MYSIS, and goes to a distance at the back of the stage.) MYSIS Pray, why did you leave me here alone? DAVUS (pretending to start on seeing the child.) Ha! what story is this? How now, Mysis, whence comes this child? Who has brought it here? MYSIS Are you quite right in your senses, to be asking me that? DAVUS Whom, then, ought I to ask, as I don’t see any one else here? CHREMES (apart to himself.) I wonder whence it has come. DAVUS Are you going to tell me what I ask? MYSIS Pshaw! DAVUS (in a whisper.) Step aside to the right. (They retire on one side.) MYSIS You are out of your senses; didn’t you your own self? DAY. (in a low voice.) Take you care not to utter a single word beyond what I ask you. Why don’t you say aloud whence it comes? MYSIS (in a loud voice.) From our house. DAVUS (affecting indignation.) Heyday, indeed! it really is a wonder if a woman, who is a courtesan, acts impudently. CHREMES (apart.) So far as I can learn, this woman belongs to the Andrian. DAVUS Do we seem to you such very suitable persons for you to be playing tricks with us in this way? CHREMES (apart.) I came just in time. DAVUS Make haste then, and take the child away from the door here: (in a low voice.) stay there; take care you don’t stir from that spot. MYSIS (aside.) May the Gods confound you! you do so terrify poor me. DAVUS (in a loud voice.) Is it to you I speak or not? MYSIS What is it you want? DAVUS (aloud.) What—do you ask me again? Tell me, whose child have you been laying here? Let me know. MYSIS Don’t you know? DAVUS (in a low voice.) Have done with what I know; tell me what I ask. MYSIS (aloud.) It belongs to your people.