The City of Delight

Besides these three, there were two women, both in the garments of the

ancient atelier. One was bemarked with clay; the other was stained

with paint. Laodice knew at a glance that she looked at a gathering of

artists.

"Evidently a gift from John," the little girl was saying. "He can not

see that our lady does anything but collect curiosities in this her

search after art, and so he must needs add a contribution in this

Stygian monster we saw yesterday evening."

Laodice knew that they discussed Momus.

"Perhaps," the athlete said, "he bought this left-handed catapult

thinking he might throw the discus farther than I can throw it."

"Well enough," the woman with paint on her tunic put in; "she sent the

monster packing. He went out of the gates post-haste last night, they

say."

"The pretty stranger that came with him stayed, I observe," the

athlete said.

"Pst!" the girl said in a low voice. "Where are the man's eyes in your

head, that you do not see her?"

"Looking at you!" the athlete answered.

"Too soon!" the child retorted. "A good six years before I shall know

what your looks mean!"

"Is she, this pretty stranger, something of John's taste?" the woman

who had blue clay on her garment asked.

"Tut!" the athlete broke in. "John never departed from his ancient

barbarism to that extent. That, unless I misjudge my own inclinations

in a similar matter, is something this mysterious Philadelphus hath

arranged to relieve the tedium of--"

"Tedium!" the girl exclaimed. "By Hector, this Jewish wife of his

would open his Ephesian eyes were she to let loose all I suspect in

her!"

"Brrr! But you are suspicious!" the athlete shivered. The little girl

shaped her lips into a kiss and the athlete leaning across the table

snatched it from her before she could avoid him.

The women caught him by the back of his tunic and pulled him down in

his chair.

"Sit down!" they whispered. "Don't you see that Juventius is about to

speak?"

The athlete glanced at the grown man, who had looked down into his

plate at the youth's frolic with the child, with the utmost disdain

and boredom in his expression. Now that the silence became noticeable,

he spoke in an affected voice, but one of the deepest music.

"Alas, these Jews!" he said. "How little they know about art! How long

has it been since he introduced one of the Temple singers into our

lady's hall to show what a piercing high note could be reached by a

male voice? And he had the creature sing to prove his contention. I

thought I should die! It was worse than awful; it was criminal!"

The athlete laughed.

"Any singer, then, but Juventius therefore is a malefactor!" he said.