*****
Lycon and Myrtale filled the place of children to the lonely Polycles, and he was never happier than when they visited him in the quiet evening hours.
The hillock in the garden, which had been Simonides’ favorite spot and where his monument stood, was the goal of their walks, and when they had offered their homage to the dead man by adorning his grave with flowers, they sat down on a bench among a group of tall plane-trees to gaze over the city and country.
One evening, when the distant, sun-illumined mountains of Pherae were gleaming more brightly than ever through the twilight, Lycon exclaimed:
“Simonides was right! Where is there a spot more beautiful than this?”
Myrtale looked him in the face and suddenly asked:
“Do you never wish yourself back in Athens?”
Polycles raised his eyebrows. In his opinion this was evidently a very difficult question. But Lyconfound the answer easy. Clasping Myrtale’s hand, he said:
“How can you ask? In Athens I was gay; here I am happy.”