murmured: ‘Your pleasure is mine.’
She got up and went to where Kait was kneeling by the water playing with a little model barge which her second child, a rather spoilt-looking-boy, was trying to float.
Nofret said curtly:
‘Will you take the children away, Kait?’
Kait stared up at her uncomprehendingly.
‘Away? What do you mean? This is where they always play.’
‘Not today. Imhotep wants peace. These children of yours are noisy.’
Colour flamed into Kait’s heavy face.
‘You should mend your ways of speech, Nofret! Imhotep likes to see his sons’ children playing here. He has said so.’
‘Not today,’ said Nofret. ‘He has sent me to tell you to take the whole noisy brood into the house, so that he can sit in peace—with me.’
‘With you …’ Kait stopped abruptly in what she had been about to say. Then she got up and walked to where Imhotep was half-sitting, half-lying. Nofret followed her.
Kait spoke without circumlocution.
‘Your concubine says I am to take the children away from here? Why? What are they doing that is wrong? For what reason should they be banished?’
‘I should have thought the wish of the master of the house was enough,’ said Nofret softly.
‘Exactly—exactly,’ said Imhotep pettishly. ‘Why should I have to give reasons? Whose house is this?’
‘I suppose it is she who wants them away.’ Kait turned and looked Nofret up and down.
‘Nofret thinks of my comfort—of my enjoyment,’ said Imhotep. ‘No one else in this house ever considers it—except perhaps poor Henet.’
‘So the children are not to play here any more?’
‘Not when I have come here to rest.’
Kait’s anger flamed forth suddenly:
‘Why do you let this woman turn you against your own blood? Why should she come and interfere with the ways of the house? With what has always been done.’
Imhotep suddenly began to shout. He felt a need to vindicate himself.
‘It is I who say what is to be done here—not you! You are all in league to do as you choose—to arrange everything to suit yourselves. And when I, the master of the house, come home, no proper attention is paid to my wishes. But I am master here, let me tell you! I am constantly planning and working for your welfare—but am I given gratitude, are my wishes respected? No. First, Sobek is insolent and disrespectful, and now you, Kait, try to browbeat me! What am I supporting you all for? Take care—or I shall cease to support you. Sobek talks of going—then let him go and take you and your children with him.’
For a moment Kait stood perfectly still. There was no expression at all on her heavy, rather vacant face. Then she said in a voice from which all emotion had been eliminated:
‘I will take the children into the house …’
She moved a step or two, pausing by Nofret. In a low voice Kait said:
‘This is your doing, Nofret. I shall not forget. No, I shall not forget …’
Fourth Month of Inundation 5th Day
Imhotep breathed a sigh of satisfaction as he finished his ceremonial duties as Mortuary Priest. The ritual had been observed with meticulous detail—for Imhotep was in every respect a most conscientious man. He had poured the libations, burnt incense, and offered the customary offerings of food and drink.
Now, in the cool shade of the adjacent rock chamber where Hori was waiting for him, Imhotep became once more the land-owner and the man of affairs. Together the two men discussed business matters, prevailing prices, and the profits resulting from crops, cattle, and timber.
After half an hour or so, Imhotep nodded his head with satisfaction.
‘You have an excellent head for business, Hori,’ he said.
The other smiled.
‘I should have, Imhotep. I have been your man of affairs for many years now.’
‘And a most faithful one. Now, I have a matter to discuss with you. It concerns Ipy. He complains that his position is subordinate.’
‘He is still very young.’
‘But he shows great ability. He feels that his brothers are not always fair to him. Sobek, it seems, is rough and over-bearing—and Yahmose’s continual caution and timidity irk him. Ipy is high-spirited. He does not like taking orders. Moreover he says that it is only I, his father, who have the right to command.’
‘That is true,’ said Hori. ‘And it has struck me, Imhotep, that that is a weakness here on the estate. May I speak freely?’
‘Certainly, my good Hori. Your words are always thoughtful and well considered.’
‘Then I say this. When you are away, Imhotep, there should be someone here who has real authority.’
‘I trust my affairs to you and to Yahmose—’
‘I know that we act for you in your absence—but that is not enough. Why not appoint one of your sons as a partner—associate him with you by a legal deed of settlement?’
Imhotep paced up and down frowning.
‘Which of my sons do you suggest? Sobek has an authoritative manner—but he is insubordinate—I could not trust him. His disposition is not good.’
‘I was thinking of Yahmose. He is your eldest son. He has a gentle and affectionate disposition. He is devoted to you.’
‘Yes, he has a good disposition—but he is too timid—too yielding. He gives in to everybody. Now if Ipy were only a little older—’
Hori said quickly:
‘It is dangerous to give power to too young a man.’
‘True—true—well, Hori, I will think of what you have said. Yahmose is certainly a good son … an obedient son …’
Hori said gently but urgently:
‘You would, I think, be wise.’
Imhotep looked at him curiously.
‘What is in your mind, Hori?’
Hori said slowly:
‘I said just now that it is dangerous to give a man power when he is too young. But it is also dangerous to give it to him too late.’
‘You mean that he has become too used to obeying orders and not to giving them. Well, perhaps there is something in that.’
Imhotep sighed.
‘It is a difficult task to rule a family! The women in particular are hard to manage. Satipy has an ungovernable temper, Kait is often sulky. But I have made it clear to them that Nofret is to be treated in a proper fashion. I think I may say that—’
He broke off. A slave was coming panting up the narrow pathway.
‘What is this?’
‘Master—a barge is here. A scribe called Kameni has come with a message from Memphis.’
Imhotep got up fussily.
‘More trouble,’