The Greek raised his eyes. "To-day men esteem virtue and wisdom too
low, for a philosopher not to be forced to seek other means of living."

"What are thy means?"

"To know everything, and to serve those with news who are in need of
it."

"And who pay for it?"

"Ah, lord, I need to buy a copyist. Otherwise my wisdom will perish
with me."

"If thou hast not collected enough yet to buy a sound mantle, thy
services cannot be very famous."

"Modesty hinders me. But remember, lord, that to-day there are not such
benefactors as were numerous formerly; and for whom it was as pleasant
to cover service with gold as to swallow an oyster from Puteoli. No; my
services are not small, but the gratitude of mankind is small. At
times, when a valued slave escapes, who will find him, if not the only
son of my father? When on the walls there are inscriptions against the
divine Poppæa, who will indicate those who composed them? Who will
discover at the book-stalls verses against Cæsar? Who will declare what
is said in the houses of knights and senators? Who will carry letters
which the writers will not intrust to slaves? Who will listen to news
at the doors of barbers? For whom have wine-shops and bake-shops no
secret? In whom do slaves trust? Who can see through every house, from
the atrium to the garden? Who knows every street, every alley and
hiding-place? Who knows what they say in the baths, in the Circus, in