Page:Homer. The Odyssey (IA homerodyssey00collrich).pdf/118

108 The old nurse doubts no longer. She lets the foot fall heavily, and upsets the bath.

He puts his hand upon her throat, and forcibly checks her outcry; his purpose is not to be known openly as yet, for he feels there are few, even of his own household, whom he can trust. He charges her—even on pain of death, much as he loves her—to keep his secret; then, refusing all softer accommodation, he lies down in the vestibule on a couch of bull-hide, not sleeping, but nursing his wrath in a fever of wakefulness.