but without giving up the quotations that seemed to justify it. It is true ill-natured people said his verses were not always quite applicable; but the Hellenists of Syra did not confirm this slander, possibly because they were not competent to judge. Still, everybody used to smile when he raised his voice in the midst of a trivial conversation to roll forth majestically some sonorous hexameter from Homer.
When the two friends were near enough, Mr. Plateas stopped and effusively shook hands with his preserver.
"My dear friend, why did n't you tell me you were going to walk today? We could have come out together,—it's time to go in now. Why did you start so late?"
"Yes, I am late; I expected to meet you farther on." And Mr. Liakos added with a show of indifference, "Are there many people out today?"
"Very few. You know our Syrans; they 're content to saunter up and down their crowded square; it is only people of taste who enjoy themselves—
. . . παρὰ θίνα πολυφλοίσβοιο θαλάσσης.
. . . on the shore of the resounding sea."
"And who were these men of taste to-day?" asked the judge, with a smile.
"If I had spoken of men of taste, I should
