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 for those too low to resent them. Don't you dare to try them on me."

"All right Caesar," Clodius repeated. "No offense intended. You haven't told us why you came, though."

"Nor shall I unless I choose," Caesar replied. "Nor until I choose."

Thereupon Crassus interposed.

"If you won't treat Clodius decently for his own sake," he said, "treat him civilly because he's my friend. Do you hear?"

"I hear," Caesar answered, "and it's little I heed. You can hang all the hay in Italy on your horn, but you can't frighten me. You're like many another sham that's marked dangerous, you scare only the scary. I know you for what you are. You try to make believe you're the bull of the herd and you're nothing but a bogus bullfrog blown up with wind, you great scurfy toad!"

"Come, come Caesar," said Crassus. "You must be in a pretty humor with somebody, but that's no reason for insulting me. Remember that I've paid your debts, financed your election, and that you have me to thank for getting Spain as your province for next year. Be civil."

"I'll be civil or not as I choose," Caesar rejoined. "I'm in a bad humor with just precisely yourself. As for my election and my province,