throw me down. It was a horrible moment but I defended myself bravely
and had succeeded in keeping on my feet when your father sprang forward,
set me free and led me away. What happened after I could not tell you
now; it was one of those wild happy dreams in which you must hold your
heart with both hands for fear it should crack with joy, or fly out and
away up to the sky and in the very eye of the sun. Late in the evening
I got home and a week after I was Euphorion's wife."

"We have exactly followed your example," said Pollux, "and if Arsinoe
grows to be like my dear old woman I shall be quite satisfied."

"Happy and contented," replied Doris. "Keep you health, snap your
fingers at care and sorrow, do your duty on work-days and drink till you
are jolly in honor of the god on holidays, and then all will be well.
Those who do all they are able and enjoy as much as they can get, make
good use of their lives and need feel no remorse in their last hours.
What is past is done for, and when Atropos cuts our thread some one else
will stand in our place and joys will begin all over again. May the gods
bless you!"

"You are right," said Pollux embracing his mother, and two together can
turn the work out of hand more lightly and enjoy the pleasures of
existence better than each alone--can they not?"

"I am sure of it; and you have chosen the right mate," cried the old
woman. "You are a sculptor and used to simple things; you need no
riches, only a sweet face which may every day rejoice your heart, and
that you have found."

"There is nowhere a sweeter or a lovelier," said Pollux.