embarrassed, he is constantly in small difficulties; such a bill has to be met on such a day and there are no funds, unless that other sum which he is expecting, be paid up to date, which is unlikely. On such occasions Cicero gets alarmed about his credit, and writes to Atticus to raise money for him at any cost or to sell his property at any sacrifice rather than allow him to appear for a moment as a defaulter. Atticus never grudged trouble on behalf of his friend. We always find that, one way or another, he manages to meet the call, and a few months' economy or a legacy, opportunely failing in, sets Cicero's affairs straight again.
One business relation between the friends has a more permanent interest. Atticus had a large 'retinue of slaves, born in his house, whom he carefully educated and trained to act as his literary assistants. "His household staff," says his biographer,[1] "though insignificant for purposes of display, was admirable so far as use was concerned. It comprised a number of highly educated slaves, excellent readers and copyists enough and to spare; indeed there was not a footman but was able to fulfil both these tasks with credit." They were experts in the art of binding, cataloguing and arranging, and were at home among bookcases and titles. Atticus lent their skilled assistance to repair the damage done in Cicero's library while he was in exile, and Cicero was delighted with their work: "Since Tyrannio with their valuable aid has put my books in order, the house seems to have a soul breathed into it."[2]
