it out, either: they bargained with him as hard as if that first offer were outrageously low. By fighting over every drakhma, they made him think it was. 'Is the Tarentine drakhma lighter or heavier than ours?' Menedemos asked as the dicker drew toward a close. 'A little heavier,' answered Sostratos, who'd had to change money - and to pay the fee for doing it. 'Well, shall we take eight minai, fifty drakhmai, then?' Menedemos said. But now Sostratos was the one to toss his head. 'No. I think eight minai, seventy-five drakhmai is the least we can take. I hate going below nine minai at all.' He folded his arms across his chest and gave Herennius Egnatius as stony a stare as he could. He didn't think the Samnite would walk away from the deal - the fellow had already talked himself into buying the birds, which meant he had to talk the men who owned them into selling. And, sure enough, Herennius Egnatius nodded to show he agreed. 'I shall pay you eight minai, seventy-five drakhmai of Taras for the peacock and a peahen,' he said, and held out his hand. Sostratos and Menedemos clasped it in turn. The Samnite went on, 'Let me go back to the house of my guest-friend. My slaves and I will bring you the money this afternoon.' 'That will do,' Sostratos said, and Menedemos dipped his head. Sostratos went on, 'If you don't mind my asking, why did you bring so much money here to Taras in the first place? It can't have been for peacocks.' 'No,' Herennius Egnatius said. 'I came here to buy a fancy woman and bring her back with me. But your birds will set me apart from my neighbors even better. Anyone can buy a fancy woman, but not just anyone can have a peacock.' 'I see,' Sostratos said, and he did, too. A social climber, that's what he is. Sostratos had to fight to hold his face straight. Who would have thought a backwoods Italian town spawned social climbers? Anticipation in his voice, Herennius Egnatius added, 'I should like to see Gellius Pontius match me now.' He bowed to Sostratos, and then to Menedemos. 'Thank you, gentlemen. I shall see you this afternoon.' As soon as he'd left, Menedemos said, 'Aristeidas!' 'What is it?' asked the sailor serving as doorman. 'Hurry over to the Aphrodite,' Menedemos answered. 'Round up six or eight sailors and get 'em back here as fast as you can. Have 'em bring swords - not knives, swords - and wear helmets if they've got 'em. Don't waste time - get moving.' Aristeidas dipped his head and was gone. Sostratos said, 'You don't think - ?' 'That he'd try to steal the birds instead of paying for them?' Menedemos shrugged. 'The Samnites are warriors, which means they're robbers if they see the chance. If he doesn't see the chance, I think he'll be mild as overwatered wine and sweet as honey.'
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