Sobek muttered something and resumed his former direction. Nofret laughed again, then walked slowly on to where Imhotep was now turning his attention to Yahmose.
‘What possessed you to let Sobek act in that foolish fashion?’ he demanded irritably. ‘You should have prevented it! Don’t you know by now that he has no judgement in buying and selling? He thinks everything will turn out as he wants it to turn out.’
Yahmose said apologetically:
‘You do not realize my difficulties, father. You told me to entrust Sobek with the sale of the timber. It was necessary therefore that it should be left to him to use his judgement.’
‘Judgement? Judgement? He has no judgement! He is to do what I instruct him to do–and it is for you to see that he does exactly that.’
Yahmose flushed.
‘I? What authority have I?’
‘What authority? The authority I give you.’
‘But I have no real status. If I were legally associated with you–’
He broke off as Nofret came up. She was yawning and twisting a scarlet poppy in her hands.
‘Won’t you come to the little pavilion by the lake, Imhotep? It is cool there and there is fruit waiting for you and Keda beer. Surely you have finished giving your orders by now.’
‘In a minute, Nofret–in a minute.’
Nofret said in a soft, deep voice:
‘Come now. I want you to come now…’
Imhotep looked pleased and a little sheepish. Yahmose said quickly before his father could speak.
‘Let us just speak of this first. It is important. I want to ask you–’
Nofret spoke directly to Imhotep, turning her shoulder on Yahmose:
‘Can you not do what you want in your own house?’
Imhotep said sharply to Yahmose:
‘Another time, my son. Another time.’
He went with Nofret and Yahmose stood on the porch looking after them.
Satipy came out from the house and joined him.
‘Well,’ she demanded eagerly, ‘have you spoken to him? What did he say?’
Yahmose sighed.
‘Do not be so impatient, Satipy. The time was not–propitious.’
Satipy gave an angry exclamation.
‘Oh yes–that is what you would say! That is what you will always say. The truth is you are afraid of your father–you are as timid as a sheep–you bleat at him–you will not stand up to him like a man! Do you not recall the things you promised me? I tell you I am the better man of us two! You promise–you say: “I will ask my father–at once–the very first day.” And what happens–’
Satipy paused–for breath, not because she had finished–but Yahmose cut in mildly:
‘You are wrong, Satipy. I began to speak–but we were interrupted.’
‘Interrupted? By whom?’
‘By Nofret.’
‘Nofret! That woman! Your father should not let his concubine interrupt when he is speaking of business to his eldest son. Women should not concern themselves with business.’
Possibly Yahmose wished that Satipy herself would live up to the maxim she was enunciating so glibly, but he was given no opportunity to speak. His wife swept on:
‘Your father should have made that clear to her at once.’
‘My father,’ said Yahmose drily, ‘showed no signs of displeasure.’
‘It is disgraceful,’ Satipy declared. ‘Your father is completely bewitched by her. He lets her say and do as she pleases.’
Yahmose said thoughtfully:
‘She is very beautiful…’
Satipy snorted.
‘Oh, she has looks of a kind. But no manners! No upbringing! She does not care how rude she is to all of us.’
‘Perhaps you are rude to her?’
‘I am the soul of politeness. Kait and I treat her with every courtesy. Oh, she shall have nothing of which to go complaining to your father. We can wait our time, Kait and I.’
Yahmose looked up sharply.
‘How do you mean–wait your time?’
Satipy laughed meaningfully as she moved away.
‘My meaning is woman’s meaning–you would not understand. We have our ways–and our weapons! Nofret would do well to moderate her insolence. What does a woman’s life come to in the end, after all? It is spent in the back of the house–amongst the other women.’
There was a peculiar significance in Satipy’s tone. She added:
‘Your father will not always be here…He will go away again to his estates in the North. And then–we shall see.’
‘Satipy–’
Satipy laughed–a hard-sounding, high laugh, and went back into the house.
II
By the lake the children were running about and playing. Yahmose’s two boys were fine, handsome little fellows, looking more like Satipy than like their father. Then there were Sobek’s three–the youngest a mere toddling baby. And there was Teti, a grave, handsome child of four years old.
They laughed and shouted, threw balls–occasionally a dispute broke out and a childish wail of anger rose high and shrill.
Sitting sipping his beer, with Nofret beside him, Imhotep murmured: ‘How fond children are of playing by water. It was always so, I remember. But, by Hathor, what a noise they make!’
Nofret said quickly:
‘Yes–and it could be so peaceful…Why do you not tell them to go away whilst you are here? After all when the master of the house wants relaxation a proper respect should be shown. Don’t you agree?’
‘I–well–’ Imhotep hesitated. The idea was new to him but pleasing. ‘I do not really mind them,’ he finished, doubtfully.
He added rather weakly:
‘They are accustomed to play here always as they please.’
‘When you are away, yes,’ said Nofret quickly. ‘But I think, Imhotep, considering all that you do for your family, they should show more sense of your dignity –of your importance. You are too gentle–too easygoing.’
Imhotep sighed placidly.
‘It has always been my failing. I never insist on the outward forms.’
‘And therefore these women, your son’s wives, take advantage of your kindness. It should be understood that when you come here for repose, there must be silence and tranquillity. See, I will go and tell Kait to take her children away and the others too. Then you shall have peace and contentment here.’
‘You are a thoughtful girl, Nofret–yes, a good girl. You are always thinking of my comfort.’
Nofret 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…’
CHAPTER FIVE
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,’ he exclaimed. ‘As sure as Ra sails the Heavens this will be more trouble! Unless I am on hand to attend to things everything goes wrong.’
He went stamping down the path and Hori sat quite still looking after him.
There was a troubled expression on his face.
II
Renisenb had been wandering aimlessly along the bank of the Nile when she heard shouts and commotion and saw people running towards the landing stage.
She ran and joined them. In the boat that was pulling to shore stood a young man, and just for a moment, as she saw him outlined against the bright light, her heart missed a beat.
A mad, fantastic thought leapt into her mind.
‘It is Khay,’ she thought. ‘Khay returned from the Underworld.’
Then she mocked herself for the superstitious fancy. Because in her own remembrance, she always thought of Khay as sailing on the Nile, and this was indeed a young man of about Khay’s build–she had imagined a fantasy. This man was younger than Khay, with an easy, supple grace, and had a laughing, gay face.
He had come, he told them, from Imhotep’s estates in the North. He was a scribe and his name was Kameni.
A slave was despatched for her father and Kameni was taken to the house where food and drink were put before him. Presently her father arrived and there was much consultation and talking.
The gist of it all filtered through into the women’s quarters with Henet, as usual, as the purveyor of the news. Renisenb sometimes wondered how it was that Henet always contrived to know all about everything.
Kameni, it seemed, was a young scribe in Imhotep’s employ–the son of one of Imhotep’s cousins. Kameni had discovered certain fraudulent dispositions–a falsifying of the accounts, and since the matter had many ramifications and involved the stewards of the property, he had thought it best to come South in person and report.
Renisenb was not much interested. It was clever, she thought, of Kameni to have discovered all this. Her father would be pleased with him.
The immediate outcome of the matter was that Imhotep made hurried preparations for departure. He had not meant to leave for another two months, but now the sooner he was on the spot the better.
The whole household was summoned and innumerable exordiums and recommendations were made. This was to be done and that. Yahmose was on no account to do such and such a thing. Sobek was to exercise the utmost discretion over something else. It was all, Renisenb thought, very familiar. Yahmose was attentive, Sobek was sulky. Hori, as usual, was calm and efficient. Ipy’s demands and importunities were put aside with more sharpness than usual.
‘You are too young to have a separate allowance. Obey Yahmose. He knows my wishes and commands.’ Imhotep placed a hand on his eldest son’s sh
oulder. ‘I trust you, Yahmose. When I return we will speak once more of a partnership.’
Yahmose flushed quickly with pleasure. He drew himself a little more erect.
Imhotep went on:
‘See only that all goes well in my absence. See to it that my concubine is well treated–and with due honour and respect. She is in your charge. It is for you to control the conduct of the women of the household. See that Satipy curbs her tongue. See also that Sobek duly instructs Kait. Renisenb, also, must act towards Nofret with courtesy. Then I will have no unkindness shown toward our good Henet. The women, I know, find her tiresome sometimes. She has been here long and thinks herself privileged to say many things that are sometimes unwelcome. She has, I know, neither beauty nor wit–but she is faithful, remember, and has always been devoted to my interests. I will not have her despised and abused.’
‘Everything shall be done as you say,’ said Yahmose. ‘But Henet somtimes makes trouble with her tongue.’
‘Pah! Nonsense! All women do. Not Henet more than another. Now as to Kameni, he shall remain here. We can do with another scribe and he can assist Hori. As for that land that we have rented to the woman Yaii–’
Imhotep went off into meticulous details.
When at last all was ready for the departure Imhotep felt a sudden qualm. He took Nofret aside and said doubtfully:
‘Nofret, are you content to remain here? Would it be, perhaps, best if, after all, you came with me?’
Nofret shook her head and smiled.
‘You will not be long absent,’ she said.
‘Three months–perhaps four. Who knows?’
‘You see–it will not be long. I shall be content here.’
Imhotep said fussily:
‘I have enjoined upon Yahmose–upon all my sons–that you are to have every consideration. On their heads be it if you have anything of which to complain!’
‘They will do as you say, I am sure, Imhotep.’ Nofret paused. Then she said, ‘Who is there here whom I can trust absolutely? Someone who is truly devoted to your interests? I do not mean one of the family.’
‘Hori–my good Hori? He is in every way my right hand–and a man of good sense and discrimination.’
Nofret said slowly:
‘He and Yahmose are like brothers. Perhaps–’