Page 316 - the-odyssey

of the smoke, inasmuch as it is no longer what it was when
Ulysses went away, but has become soiled and begrimed
with soot. Add to this more particularly that you are afraid
Jove may set them on to quarrel over their wine, and that
they may do each other some harm which may disgrace
both banquet and wooing, for the sight of arms sometimes
tempts people to use them.’
Telemachus approved of what his father had said, so he
called nurse Euryclea and said, ‘Nurse, shut the women up
in their room, while I take the armour that my father left
behind him down into the store room. No one looks after it
now my father is gone, and it has got all smirched with soot
during my own boyhood. I want to take it down where the
smoke cannot reach it.’
‘I wish, child,’ answered Euryclea, ‘that you would take
the management of the house into your own hands alto-
gether, and look after all the property yourself. But who is
to go with you and light you to the store-room? The maids
would have done so, but you would not let them.’
‘The stranger,’ said Telemachus, ‘shall show me a light;
when people eat my bread they must earn it, no matter
where they come from.’
Euryclea did as she was told, and bolted the women in-
side their room. Then Ulysses and his son made all haste to
take the helmets, shields, and spears inside; and Minerva
went before them with a gold lamp in her hand that shed
a soft and brilliant radiance, whereon Telemachus said,
‘Father, my eyes behold a great marvel: the walls, with the
rafters, crossbeams, and the supports on which they rest are

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