"You haven't had anything to eat yet, have you ?" he asked.

"Get out and let another relay come on duty." Thereupon a second relay came in.

"Farewell, Gaius," cried those going off duty, and "Hail, Gaius," cried those coming on.

Our hilarity was somewhat dampened soon after, for a boy, who was by no means bad looking, came in among the fresh slaves.

Trimalchio seized him and kissed him lingeringly, whereupon Fortunata, asserting her rights in the house, began to rail at Trimalchio, styling him an abomination who set no limits to his lechery, finally ending by calling him a dog.