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AGRI VIPSANIANUS, ANTIUM
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The excitement caused by the arrival of Quaestor Agrippa’s letters eventually dissipated. The women returned to the cucina and the men returned to the fields. The day passed quickly and the time for the evening meal finally arrived.

The Vipsanii, joined by Septimus enjoyed the meal consisting of roasted lamb, root vegetables, fresh greens, and fresh onion. As always, the room was filled with the sound of laughter and merriment.

Septimus noticed that Vipsania was deep in thought.

“What takes you so far from us, bella?”, Septimus could not resist teasing Vipsania. Septimus knew that Vipsania held him in low regard, but tolerated him for the family’s safety and out of respect to her brother, Lucius.

“Nothing really, Sep-timus.”, Vipsania tolerated her brother’s friend, but thought him to be uncultured, even though Vipsania herself was raised a country girl.

“Vip-sa-ni-a…”, Septimus enunciated in a sing-song way that drove Vipsania mad.

“Nothing!”, Vipsania snapped at Septimus.

“Ah, come on and tell me, girl. Is it to do with that letter from your brother? And why did I not receive my own letter?”, Septimus prodded.

“Oh, Vipsania, do tell us of your letter!”, Lucia showed a sweet smile in Septimus’ direction and Septimus returned the smile.

Vipsania noticed the interchange between her younger sister and Septimus. “Quaestor Agrippa would not appreciate you flirting with the hired help, Lucia.”

The Vipsanii all looked toward Vipsania with jaw agape and then toward the paterfamilias, Lucius Agrippa.

Septimus was stung by Vipsania’s remark, but held his silence and looked at his plate of food trying to ignore the insult.

The elder Agrippa became enraged and stood up from his chair at the head of the table. “Vipsania! That type of behavior is beneath you. You will apologize to Septimus now! You should be ashamed of yourself. Septimus has left his family and given up his life in Roma to protect us and help us with the farm. He is not hired help. He is familia now. You will apologize!” The paterfamilias then punctuated the sentence with his fist against the table causing the plates on the table to rattle.

Vipsania had never before seen her father become so angry. It frightened her deeply, less for herself, but more for her father. Anger was not good for his health.

Vipsania was near tears as she looked at her father, but she composed herself when she addressed Septimus. “Septimus forgive me and my words, for I am selfish in forgetting how much you do for my family and me. I welcome you as a brother into my family.”

Septimus looked up from his plate, the hurt already disappearing from his eyes. “All is forgiven, dear sister. Let us continue our meal in peace.” Septimus smiled forgivingly at Vipsania, feeling guilty that he had indirectly provoked the outburst from the elder Agrippa and caused Vipsania pain.

The embarrassment was too much for Vipsania. “Papa, I am not feeling well. May I be excused?”

Lucius Agrippa gave his daughter a stern look and shook his head as if to say “go”.

Vipsania got up from the table and went toward her cubiculum.

Velia watched her daughter leave the table and to Lucius, looked as if she would leave the table as well.

“Velia, please fetch more olives from the cucina, I think these have gone bad.” Lucius had to show that he was in charge. His wife was as headstrong as his daughter and he could not appear weak to either Septimus or his sons. To avoid another outburst, he chose to allow Velia to leave the table under the pretext of finding more olives.

“I will find more olives, mi amatus.”, Velia recognized her husband’s ploy and would not disrespect her husband, but she was determined to tend to her daughter.

Young Publius was sitting next to his father and near the olive bowl. He popped an olive from the bowl into his mouth. “Papa, these olives are not bad.” Publius said innocently.

Lucius Agrippa gave his youngest son a piercing look and the lad spit out the olive. Publius got the message. “Yes, Papa, the olive is bad.”

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Velia managed to enter her daughter’s cubiculum unnoticed. Vipsania lie in her bed, on her side, curled up, silently weeping.

“Daughter, what troubles you so? Your father is not truly angry with you, but your words to Septimus were harsh. He is a good man beneath his soldierly ways. And he is loyal to us and to your brother. He also likes your sister Lucia, very much.” Velia got onto the bed and snuggled with Vipsania. “Speak to me.”

Vipsania managed to control her sobbing. “I am leaving Mama.”

“Silly girl, there is no need to leave your familia. Your words are now forgotten.”

“No, Mama, I am leaving for Roma. Brother Lucius commands it. Maurus and I will leave for Roma to see to Lucius’ property and affairs.”

Velia sat up on the bed. “Commands it? How does he command this from so far away? Your brother does not command anyone in this household! You will not go to Roma. That is no place for a young Roman woman to be alone. What is he thinking?” Velia continued to mutter in Etruscan.

“It is in his letter, Mama. Please Mama, it is an opportunity for me. I will not be alone, Maurus will be with me.”

“Maurus? He is yet a boy. He cannot protect you. You will not go and that is final.” Velia arose from the bed and left the cubiculum still mumbling.

Vipsania began to sob again and said softly, “I am leaving and that is final!”