When Trimalchio had launched this thunderbolt, Habinnas commenced to beg him to control his anger.

"There's not one of us but goes wrong sometimes," argued he; "we're not gods, we're men." Scintilla also cried out through her tears, calling him "Gaius," and entreating him by his guardian angel to be mollified.

Trimalchio could restrain the tears no longer.

"Habinnas," he blubbered, "as you hope to enjoy your money, spit in my face if I've done anything wrong.

I kissed him because he's very thrifty, not because he's a pretty boy.