| 20. Linguistic Exegesis The conjunction kai {καὶ | kaí} ‘and’ links this reply to earlier excuses. The substantive use of heteros {ἕτερος | hé-te-ros} ‘another’ introduces a new speaker. In his statement, the accusative noun gynaika {Γυναῖκα | gynaî-ka} ‘wife’ precedes the aorist indicative egema {ἔγημα | é-gē-ma} ‘I married,’ which foregrounds the completed action as the basis for refusal. The causal phrase dia touto {διὰ τοῦτο | diá toû-to} ‘because of this’ explicitly connects the event to his inability. The negation ou {οὐ | ou} ‘not’ with dynamai {δύναμαι | dý-na-mai} ‘I am able’ plus the infinitive elthein {ἐλθεῖν | el-theîn} ‘to come’ expresses ongoing incapacity with respect to the invitation. |