“Oh, there’s nothing to wonder at; wives and husbands really know little about each other when they’re at home, and they lose track completely when one of them’s away. You, for instance, don’t know whether your husband’s faithful to you.”

“How dare you, Eteoneus! I shall speak to Menelaus—you have forgotten your place. My husband is altogether faithful.”

“I’m ready to believe he is,” said Eteoneus. “I certainly don’t want you to go home and murder him because of my remark. Of course he’s faithful. I was only pointing out that you don’t know whether he is or not. You ought to understand how it was with Agamemnon. He thought his wife was better than she was. It’s a common mistake.”

“I don’t know why I talk to you, Eteoneus—you are discourteous and presuming. I came over just to—”

“Helen will be sorry she was not at home,” said Eteoneus. “May I send one of the girl’s back with a sunshade for you? It’s warm walking.”

“Oh, Eteoneus, perhaps you can tell me—what sort of person is this Adraste, who goes about with Helen?”

“She’s Helen’s personal servant, and a fine young woman, I’ll say. Helen likes them beautiful.”

“I mean, what sort of character, of course. Anyone can see the child’s good-looking. Is she trustworthy and safe—with men, I mean?”

“Safe!” said Eteoneus. “I should say not. She’ll probably break more hearts than anyone you ever knew—after Helen herself. I’m very fond of her; she’s a general favourite, even with us old people. Your son thinks well of her—he could give you a more intimate account of her than I can.”

“You tell me the worst! That’s what I feared, Eteoneus. I can’t have my boy in love with that girl! I can’t!”

“Well, it’s happened without your aid,” said Eteoneus. “He’s in love with her, and she with him, and mighty lucky for him, too; he won’t find another girl as fine who will have him.”

“Why, she’s no better than a servant!” said Charitas.

“Well, he’s not even that,” said Eteoneus. “He’s a nice boy, but entirely useless, so far, and the best thing I know about him is that she thinks well of him. What are you worrying about? Let them be happy.”

“I’m sure she’ll get him into trouble,” said Charitas. “He is without experience, and she hasn’t lived with Helen for nothing; she’ll have designs on him.”