'He grew up away from the city, down in Baiae, on the coast.' Claudia looked at me oddly. 'Adopted, like his older brother,' I explained. I did not add that Meto had been born a slave; others might discover that fact, but not from me. 'So country ways come naturally to him. He was happy enough in the city, but he likes it here as well'

'And your wife, Bethesda?'

'There are women who have the power to remake whatever corner of the world they occupy to suit themselves; she is one. Besides, all places pale when compared to her native Alexandria. Rome could not match it, so why should the Etruscan countryside? But in truth I think she misses the big markets and the gossip, the smell of fish at the waterfront, the crush of the Forum on festival days, all the rush and madness of the city.'

'And you?'

^tWhat about me?'

'Do you miss those things?'

'Not for a moment!'

She looked at me shrewdly, but not without sympathy. 'Gordianus, I have not been the sole mistress and overseer of two generations of conniving slaves, not to mention the' customer of every cunning auctioneer and merchant between here and Rome for the last forty years, without learning to discern when a man is being less than honest with me. You are not happy here, and the reason has nothing to do with quarrelling neighbours or missing your son in the city. You are homesick.'

'Nonsense!'

‘You are bored.'

'With a farm to run?'

'And lonely.'

'With my family around me?'

'Not bored because you have nothing to do; bored because you miss the unexpected adventures of the city. Not lonely for lack of loved ones, but lonely for new strangers to come into your life. Oh, the loneliness for strangers is nothing new to country dwellers; I have known it all my life. Don't you think I grow weary of my little circle of Cousin Publius and Cousin Manius and Cousin Gnaeus and their slaves, and long for a new face to appear in my world? Which is why I like talking to you, Gordianus. But I was raised in the country and you in the city, so it must be much worse for you, this boredom and loneliness.'