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62 Has the litter been sent?

Yes, Lady; I saw the litter-men go. And in an hour or less—


 * A letter mumbled over together was a long letter, more than a mere request for a litter. So speak; what else didst thou hear?


 * Well, Lady, if I heard more it's gone out of my head But there was something more. Let me unpack my hamper, for whilst unpacking it I shall remember Something about a postponement of his journey to Rome till the springtime, when favourable winds will fill the sails and the ship be carried joyously over a blue, kindly sea.

(To Apollos): Paul spoke naught of that. The man invents. As well might he tell us that Paul spoke of perfumed gales!

Now, what reason, good Probus, did Paul give for asking that his journey to Rome might be deferred till the spring?


 * The lady is so anxious to hear all in a minute that I have no thought for anything. Give me time No, I can think of no reason except that he is tired, as well he might be. A journey of sixty leagues in a week is no small journey for a man—


 * Forget the length of the journey, Probus, and tell us if Paul met with an angel.


 * We Romans know naught of angels. But if you like wings I can show you a few. I have brought some quails—

Did Paul say he was alone, or with a guide? Think, Probus, think.

(returning to his hamper): I may remember whilst unpacking this hamper, Lady, a hamper that was packed with due regard to Christian license: lampreys, swine's flesh, wild and tame.


 * We eat of lampreys only in the taverns frequented by Jews.

I do not know how the Lord Jesus may be pleased by the eating of lampreys or refraining from eating them—a vile food, to my thinking, though deemed a delicacy by many.