Part 36 (1/2)

The next half-ladleful she poured near the spot where the water touched the sieve-rim.

Round near the hoop she dribbled in half-ladleful after half-ladleful until the web of the sieve was entirely covered.

She had moved slowly from the first dip into the river. But now, since she could not see any part of the web of the sieve, she moved yet more slowly.

Commodus began to be impatient.

”That is plenty of water,” he said.

”Do you, as Pontifex Maximus,” she uttered, ”certify that the water now in this sieve is as deep as you stipulated?”

”I,” said Commodus in a loud voice, ”as Emperor and as Pontifex Maximus, here certify before all men that the water now supported by the web of that sieve is enough to demonstrate the favor of Vesta towards you and your impeccable integrity.”

”Back away,” said Brinnaria, ”I'm going to stand up.” She thrust the handle of the ladle through her belt, brushed the towel from her knee and with her right hand also she grasped the sieve. Holding it now in both hands, her eyes on it, she very slowly, inch by inch, rose to her feet. When she was erect, she very slowly drew back her left foot until her two feet were close together.

”Back away,” she repeated. ”I'm going to turn round.” Slowly she pivoted on her firm feet until she was standing with her back to the river.

Commodus at the top of the steps stared down at her.

”Back away,” she reiterated, ”I'm coming up the steps.” Up the steps she came, very slowly. Planted on her right foot she would almost imperceptibly raise and advance her left foot. When it was firm on the step, she would gradually s.h.i.+ft her weight to that foot, would very deliberately straighten up and very carefully draw up her right foot until both feet were together. So standing she would breathe several times before she repeated the process.

When she was standing firm on the top step on the level of the Quay platform, she raised both hands until the sieve was level with her chin.

”You have won,” Commodus exclaimed. ”You have demonstrated your G.o.ddess's favor. The test is over.”

An arm's length away stood Calvaster.

”It's a trick!” he cried. ”That is not water.”

”Not water!” cried Brinnaria.

All the forgotten tomboy of her childish girlhood surged up within her.

The obsolete hoydenishness inside her exploded.

”Not water!” she cried, and smashed the sieve over his head.

The rim on his shoulders, his head protruding from the torn eb, frayed ends of broken horse-hair sticking up round his neck, the water trickling down his clothing and dripping from his thin locks, from his big flaring ears, from the end of his long nose, his face rueful and stultified, he presented a sufficiently absurd appearance.

Commodus, like the overgrown boy he was, burst into roars of laughter.

The Pontiffs laughed, the Senators laughed, even Manlia and Gargilia laughed.

”It's a trick!” Calvaster repeated.

On the face of Commodus mirth gave place to wrath.

”Isn't that enough water for you?” he roared. ”Anybody would think, the way you behave, that I am the minor Pontiff and you the Emperor. I'll teach you!” He turned and beckoned a centurion of the guard.

With his file of men he came on the double quick.

”Seize that man!” the Emperor commanded.