“That won’t be a reason for liking him better. Just where are you going on your wedding-journey—or is it a secret?”

“We don’t know exactly. To Delphi, Orestes says, but that doesn’t sound interesting to me. The main thing is, he needs a complete change. We’ll hit on some place that suits us both.”

“When are you coming back?” said Menelaus.

“We haven’t the remotest idea, but it won’t be soon. Orestes can’t stay at home, of course, and we both of us need to see the world.”

“Well, you know what I think of it all,” said Menelaus. “You’ll probably starve, or you would if you hadn’t something to fall back on besides your husband. I’ve asked Eteoneus to put together some food and some treasure; one of the men will carry it wherever you tell him to.”

“Thank you, father, but I can’t take it. Orestes will provide very well, I’m sure.”

“He hasn’t a thing in the world,” said Menelaus, “and he has no friends now.”

“Even if that is so, I can’t accept your gift,” said Hermione. “Unless you have changed your mind and will receive Orestes.”

“I’ll never speak to him!” said Menelaus.

“You see why I can’t take it. Good-bye, father.”

“You can do this at least,” said Menelaus. “If ever you are in serious trouble, let me know. There’s no point in your going without anything when your mother and I have plenty.”

“You’ll never hear from me again,” said Hermione, “unless you accept my husband.”

“Isn’t it enough for you to marry him?” said Menelaus. “Must I love him, too?”

“You know very well what I mean; unless you treat Orestes like a normal son-in-law, and not like a criminal, I cannot consider myself any longer a member of this family.”

“Well, there’s nothing to say, then. Good-bye. Tell Eteoneus, as you go out, to unpack those things and put them back in the cellar.”

“Oh, there’s one thing I meant to say, and I almost forgot,” said Hermione. “I think you’re a little hard on mother.”

“Hard on your mother, did you say? Since when?”

“Ever since you came back—though I realised it only recently. You misjudge her, and you say things to her that might be interpreted as criticism. A person as sensitive as she is must find her position at times uncomfortable. I hope, for your sake and hers, you’ll try to understand her point of view.”

“I had no idea the curse worked so quickly!” said Menelaus. “You’ve lost your mind.”