Book XI, 74

Turn out that stone-deaf old woman, Onesimus, for God’s sake, she is such a nuisance tome. If we tell her to bring soft cheeses (turot), she comes not with cheeses, but with fresh grains of wheat (purot). The other day I had a headache and asked her for rue (peganon) and she brought me an earthenware frying-pan (teganon) ; if I ask her for she brings me a rafter; if I say when I am hungry, “ Give me some greens ’”’ (lachanon), she at once brings a night-stool (lasanon). If I ask for vinegar (oxon), she brings me a bow (foxon), and if I ask for a bow, she brings vinegar ; in fact she does not comprehend a word I say. It would disgrace me to become a crier all for the sake of the old woman, and to get up at night and practise outside the town.