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Then I had a long gossip with my dear mother sitting on the bed.

My conversation was: What do you think my friend Fronto is doing

just now? She said: And what do you think of my friend

Gratia?'[33] My turn now: And what of our little Gratia,[34] the

sparrowkin? After this kind of talk, and an argument as to which

of you loved the other most, the gong sounded, the signal that my

father had gone to the bath. We supped, after ablutions in the

oil-cellar-I mean we supped after ablutions, not after ablutions

in the oil-cellar; and listened with enjoyment to the rustics

gibing. After returning, before turning on my side to snore, I do

my task and give an account of the day to my delightful master,

whom if I could long for a little more, I should not mind growing

a trifle thinner. Farewell, Fronto, wherever you are,

honey-sweet, my darling, my delight. Why do I want you? I can

love you while far away.'

[33] Fronto's wife.

[34] Fronto's daughter