What could he see to pride himself upon so vastly in the art of making
people laugh?

[78] Lit. "now that they had come to Philippus (in the 'period' of
discussion), they . . ." Or read, after Hartman, "An. Xen." p.
242, {eken} (sc. {o logos}).

Surely I have good reason (he replied). The whole world knows my
business is to set them laughing, so when they are in luck's way, they
eagerly invite me to a share of it; but if ill betide them, helter-
skelter off they go, and never once turn back,[79] so fearful are they
I may set them laughing will he nill he.

[79] Plat. "Rep." 620 E; "Laws," 854 C.

Nic. Heavens! you have good reason to be proud; with me it is just the
opposite. When any of my friends are doing well, they take good care
to turn their backs on me,[80] but if ever it goes ill with them, they
claim relationship by birth,[81] and will not let their long-lost
cousin out of sight.

[80] Or, "they take good care to get out of my way," "they hold aloof
from me entirely."

[81] Or, "produce the family-pedigree and claim me for a cousin." Cf.
Lucian v., "Tim." 49; Ter. "Phorm." ii. 33, 45.

Charm. Well, well! and you, sir (turning to the Syracusan), what do
you pride yourself upon? No doubt, upon the boy?