Isch. Well, first of all I thought I ought to show her the capacities
of our house. Since you must know, it is not decked with ornaments and
fretted ceilings,[1] Socrates; but the rooms were built expressly with
a view to forming the most apt receptacles for whatever was intended
to be put in them, so that the very look of them proclaimed what
suited each particular chamber best. Thus our own bedroom,[2] secure
in its position like a stronghold, claimed possession of our choicest
carpets, coverlets, and other furniture. Thus, too, the warm dry rooms
would seem to ask for our stock of bread-stuffs; the chill cellar for
our wine; the bright and well-lit chambers for whatever works or
furniture required light, and so forth.

[1] Or, "curious workmanship and paintings." See "Mem." III. viii. 10.
Cf. Plat. "Rep." vii. 529 B; "Hipp. maj." 298 A. See Becker,
"Charicles," Exc. i. 111.

[2] Or, "the bridal chamber." See Becker, op. cit. p. 266. Al. "our
store-chamber." See Hom. "Od." xxi. 9:

{be d' imenai thalamonde sun amphipoloisi gunaixin
eskhaton, k.t.l.}

"And she (Penelope) betook her, with her handmaidens, to the
treasure-chamber in the uttermost part of the house, where lay the
treasures of her lord, bronze and gold and iron well wrought."--
Butcher and Lang. Cf. "Od." ii. 337; "Il." vi. 288.

Next I proceeded to point out to her the several dwelling-rooms, all
beautifully fitted up for cool in summer and for warmth in winter.[3]
I showed her how the house enjoyed a southern aspect, whence it was