Part 6 (2/2)

And he took the little slave by the hand and led him to his room.

He sat down, with Tarrar standing in front of him. Then he said:

”Tarrar, I am sorry for hurting you so badly. Forgive me, Tarrar.”

But Tarrar shook his head:

”It is not for me to forgive you, my lord,” he said, earnestly, with great, dim eyes. ”You are the master.”

”Tarrar,” Lucius continued, ”when we are back in Rome, you shall be free. I will set you free. And you shall no longer be a little slave. But you shall go to school, to the freedmen's college. And learn all sorts of things. And become very clever, like Thrasyllus. And I will give you money. And you will be able to do whatever you please.”

Tarrar was a little taken aback:

”You are very kind, my lord,” he said. ”But, if I go to school, who will fold your clothes? And listen for your gong? You are not driving me away, my lord, because I was so unhappy? I would rather stay with you, my lord, I would rather remain your little slave ... and I will never again be so disrespectful as to weep.... I would rather remain your stupid little slave.”

”You shall be free, Tarrar. But you will be allowed to serve me all the same.”

”I don't want to be free, my lord. What use is freedom to me? I am your little slave. I should always be your little slave just as before.”

”Then ask me something else, Tarrar, something that you would like very much.”

Tarrar grinned with his white teeth through his tears:

”May I tell you, my lord?”

”Yes.”

Tarrar hesitated. Then he said, shyly:

”Two other little dancing snakes, my lord.”

Lucius laughed softly:

”Child!” he said. ”I will give you two other little snakes! But I fear that those also will refuse to dance as only the Indian merchant can make them dance.”

”I fear so too,” said Tarrar, reflecting. ”The snake that is still alive has crept back to the merchant, I expect, out of the skin which it left behind it. I also fear that the new snakes would refuse to dance.... Then I would rather have nothing, my lord. I don't want anything. If only I may serve you.”

”Then get everything ready to shave me ... and tell the slaves to prepare the bath.”

”Yes, my lord,” said Tarrar, with alacrity.

CHAPTER VII

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