440 THEOCRITUS
about), when I sent him to a shop to buy soap and rouge, brought me home salt instead ; — stupid, great, big, interminable animal !
Gorgo. Mine is just the fellow to him. . . . But never mind now, get on your things and let us be off to the palace to see the Adonis. I hear the queen's decorations are something splendid.
Praxinoe. In grand people's houses everything is grand. What things you have seen in Alexandria ! What a deal you will have to tell to anybody who has never been here !
Gorgo. Come, we ought to be going. Praxinoe. Every day is holiday to people who have nothing to do. Eunoe, pick up your work ; and take care, lazy girl, how you leave it lying about again ; the cats find it just the bed they like. Come, stir yourself, fetch me some water, quick I I wanted the water first, and the girl brings me the soap. Ne'er mind 4 give it me. Not all that, extravagant ! Now pour out the water ; — stupid I why don't you take care of my dress? That will do. I have got my hands washed as it pleased God. Where is the key of the large wardrobe ? Bring it here — quick !
Gorgo. Praxinoe, you can't think how well that dress, made full, as you 've got it, suits you. Tell me, how much did it cost ? — the dress by itself, I mean.
Praxinoe. Don't talk of it, Gorgo : more than eight guineas of good hard money. And about the work on it I have almost worn my life out.
Gorgo. Well, you could n't have done better.
Praxino'e. Thank you. Bring me my shawl (to Eu- noe)., and put my hat properly on my head, — properly. No, child {to her little hoy)., I am not going to take
