hand don't want to entertain him here. His father, as I am told, is gone as far as Saxa[1] to meet him in a high state of exasperation. He went in such an angry frame of mind that I was forced to remonstrate. But then I am much of a weather-cock myself. So we must wait and see. However, please consider your view as to my coming to Rome and the whole situation; if it appears plain to you to-morrow, let me know early in the day.
DCLVIII (A XIII, 41)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
Tusculum (8 August)
Yes, I sent Quintus the letter for your sister. When he
complained that his son was on bad terms with his mother,
and said that on that account he intended to give up the
house to his son, I told him that the latter had written a
becoming letter to his mother, but not a word to you. He
expressed surprise at the former, but said that in regard to
you the fault was his own, because he had frequently written
in indignant terms to his son as to your unfairness to him.
In this respect he says that his feelings have softened; so I
read him your letter, and on the "crooked paths"[2] principle
indicated that I would not stand in the way. The fact is,
we went on to talk of Cana.[3] Certainly, if that were decided
upon, it would be necessary for me to act thus. But, as
you say, we must have some regard to our dignity, and both
of us ought to take the same line, although the wrongs he
has done me are the more serious, or at least the more
notorious, of the two. If however Brutus also has some. See p. 322.]