MEMORIES OF DIANA, PART THREE

"Soon I will be able to buy you diamonds and furs - anything you want." said Nikos.

Diana smiled dutifully; she had little interest in such things.

"Here - buy yourself something pretty." He gave her money.

"Thank you, Alex."

***

"Hello, Diana. Fancy running into you!"

"Hello, Carl." said Diana, "I am - shopping."

"Are you in a hurry? I'm playing tourist today, and I could use a guide to the Acropolis."

"I am not in a hurry." said Diana, "But I cannot be your guide. I have never been to the Acropolis - only tourists go there!"

"Then - why not let Baedecker guide us Both?"

***

"Now, according to the guidebook" said Carl, "On the south side of the Acropolis - which is - that way - we should see the Theatre of Dionysis and the Sanctuary of Asklepios."

"Oh!" said Diana, as she stumbled on the rough ground, "I should not have worn these high heels."

"Not the best footwear for scrambling around a hilltop." Carl agreed, "Would you rather just forget the whole idea?"

"No, no - we are here now. Let us see everything."

"Well, perhaps you should hold onto me." said Carl, offering his arm.

They worked their way from the south side of the site to the north, where the Parthenon stood.. The tour ended in the Acropolis Museum, which contained only objects actually found there.

"You know," said Carl, "There are men - collectors - who would pay its weight in gold for the least of these objects."

"But they are not for sale."

"No, the more's the pity!"

They paused by an Archaic statue of a young girl with a sweet smile.

"Amazing!" said Carl,. looking from the statue to Diana and back.

"What is?"

"The resemblance! She must be your great-great-however-many-great-grandmother!"

"Oh, you talk nonsense!" said Diana, laughing.

"I'm serious." Carl insisted, "If you wore a chiton and styled your hair like that, you would - be more beautiful than she is, actually."

"Flatterer!"

"Flattery is false praise." said Carl, "I always speak the truth."

"Always?"

"Well, most of the time! Let me buy you lunch. I know a good taverna quite close by."