"Those who have served twenty years in my house are to appear tomorrow before the pretor, where they will receive freedom; those who have not served out the time will receive three pieces of gold and double rations for a week. Send an order to the village prisons to remit punishment, strike the fetters from people's feet, and feed them sufficiently. Know that a happy day has come to me, and I wish rejoicing in the house."
For a moment they stood in silence, as if not believing their ears; then all hands were raised at once, and all mouths cried,—"A-a! lord! a-a-a!"