8–9
Lycinus
Well, what is to happen, if you cannot follow now? Every man can crow on his own hay-cock, and I thought this was yours. Did you get that hay-cock? You don’t seem to attend; look at the mutual help Socrates and I have just given you.
Purist
I am attending; but you are so sly with them.
10
Lycinus
Monstrous sly, is it not, to say ‘mutual’ instead of ‘joint'? Well, that is settled up; but for your general ignorance, I defy any God short of Apollo to cure it. He gives council to all who ask it; but on you that council is thrown away.
Purist
Yes, I declare, so it was!
Lycinus
Perhaps one at a time are too few?
Purist
I think that must be it.
Lycinus
How did ‘one are’ get past you?
5
Purist
Ah, I didn’t see it, again.
Lycinus
By the way, do you know of any one who is on the look in for a wife?
Purist
What are you talking about?
Lycinus
Show me the man who is on the look in, and I will show you a solecist.
Purist
But what have I to do with solecists on the look in for wives?
10
Lycinus
Ah, if you knew that, you would be the man you pretend to be. So much for that. Now, if a man came to you and said that he had left his wife’s home, would you stand that?
Purist
Of course I should, if he had provocation.
Lycinus
And if you caught him committing a solecism, would 5 you stand it?
Lycinus
Quite right too. We should never permit solecisms in a friend, but teach him better. Now, what are your feelings when you hear a man deprecating his own merits, and depreciating his friend’s excessive gratitude?
15
Purist
Feelings? only that he shows a very proper feeling.
