4
Outside, the evening air encouraged people in the street, but they were not happy. They jostled and shouted. Clusters of men yelled in angry voices. Over and over, Argolicus heard What about us? Low murmurs to loud chants. Even though it was not dark, some carried torches. The feeling was fierce and eruptive.
Events like this didn’t reach the peaceful villa in the hills. Argolicus understood that in whatever form—town meeting, an afternoon of talk, or out in the street—contact with people was a new element in his life. As he was lost in thought, a group of young men pushed him. They made it seem as though it were unintentional, but their looks told him the action was deliberate.
He found himself in a small alley between two large homes, a passageway for slaves to carry goods in and ou
