Nothing at all; only, on going away, she gave me a nod.PYTHIAS Well now, wasn’t that enough?CHREMES Why, I didn’t know that she meant that, until the Captain gave me an explanation, because I was dull of comprehension; for he bundled me out of the house. But look, here she is; I wonder how it was I got here before her.

(Enter THAIS.)THAIS(to herself.)I really do believe that he’ll be here presently, to force her away from me. Let him come; but if he touches her with a single finger, that instant his eyes shall be torn out. I can put up with his impertinences and his high-sounding words, as long as they remain words: but if they are turned into realities, he shall get a drubbing.CHREMES Thais, I’ve been here some time.THAIS O my dear Chremes, you are the very person I was wanting. Are you aware that this quarrel took place on your account, and that the whole of this affair, in fact, bore reference to yourself?CHREMES To me? How so, pray?THAIS Because, while I’ve been doing my bestto recover and restore your sister to you, this and a great deal more like it I’ve had to put up with.CHREMES Where is she?THAIS At home, at my house. CHREMES(starting.)Hah!THAIS What’s the matter?This text appears on line 746c in the Latin attributed to Chremes. She has been brought up in a manner worthy of yourself and of her.CHREMES What is it you say?THAIS That which is the fact. Her I present to you, nor do I ask of you any return for her.CHREMES Thanks are both felt and shall be returned in such way, Thais, as you deserve.THAIS But still, take care, Chremes, that you don’t lose her, before you receive her from me; for it is she, whom the Captain is now coming to take away from me by force. Do you go, Pythias, and bring out of the house the casket with the tokens.Casket with the tokens: It was the custom with the ancients when they exposed their children, to leave with them some pledge or token of value, that they might afterward be recognized by means of them. The catastrophes of the Curculio, the Rudens, and other Plays of Plautus, are brought about by taking advantage of this circumstance. The reasons for using these tokens will be stated in a future Note. CHREMES(looking down the side Scene.)Don’t you see him, Thais?PYTHIAS(to THAIS.)Where is it put?THAIS In the clothes’ chest. Tiresome creature, why do you delay?(PYTHIAS goes into the house.)CHREMES What a large body of troops the Captain is bringing with him against you. Bless me!THAIS Prithee, are you frightened, my dear sir?CHREMES Get out with you. What, I frightened? There’s not a man alive less so.THAIS Then now is the time to prove it.CHREMES Why, I wonder what sort of a man you take me to be.THAIS Nay, and consider this too; the person that you have to deal with is a foreigner;Is a foreigner: And therefore the more unlikely to obtain redress from an Athenian tribunal. See the , l. 811, and the Note to the passage. of less influence than you, less known, and one that has fewer friends here.CHREMES I’m aware of that; but it’s foolish to run the risk of what you are able to avoid. I had rather we should prevent it, than, having received an injury, avenge ourselves upon him. Do you go in and fasten the door, while I run across hence to the Forum; I should like us to have the aid of some legal adviser in this disturbance.(Moves, as if going.)THAIS(holding him.)Stay.