Death Comes as the Endt Read online

  "No, no, grandmother, you would not do that.”

  ,,His smile changed, it became caressing if slightly impudent.

  You and I, grandmother, we have the brains of the family.”

  "The impudence of you I”

  "My father relies on your judgmentmhe know you are wie.”

  "That may be, indeed it is so, but I do not need you to tell me o.”

  ,Ip laughed.

  ou had better be on my side, grandmother.”

  "What is this talk of s/des?”

  "The big brother are very discontented, don't you know that ? Of cour you do. Henet tells you everything. Satipy harangue Yahmose all day and all night whenever she can get hold of him. And Sobek has made a fool of himself over the sale of the timber and i afraid my father will be furiotm when he finds out. You will, e, grandmother, in another year or two I flaall be mociated with my father and he will clo everything that I wish.”

  "You, the youngest of the family ?”

  "What does age matter ? My father is the one that has the power, and I am the one who knows how to manage my father I”

  "This is evil talk," said Esa.

  x9 Ipy said softly: "You are not a fool, grandmother. You snow quite well that my father, in spite of all his big 'tlk, is really a weak man, ,, “

  He stopped abruptly, noting that Faa had shifted her head and was peering over his shoulder. He turned his own head, to find Henet standing dose behind him.

  "So Imhotep. is a weak man ?" said Henet in her soft whining voice. "He will not be pleased, I think, to hear that you have said that of him.”

  Ipy gave a quick uneasy laugh.

  "But you will not tell him, Henet... Come now, Henet, promise me... Dear Henet...”

  Henet glided towards Esa. She raised her voice with its slightly whining note.

  "Of course, I never want to make trouble, you know that...

  I am devoted to all of y,,ou. I never repeat anything unless I think it is my duty ....

  "I was teasing grandmother, that was all," said Ipy. "I shall tell my father so. He will know I could not have said such a thing seriously.”

  He gave Henet a short, sharp nod and went out of the room.

  Henet looked after him and said to Esa: "A fine boy, a fine, well-grown boy. And how bravely he speaks I”

  Esa said sharply: "He speaks dangerously. I do not like the ideas he has in head. My son indulges him too much.”

  "Who would not? He is such a handsome, attractive boy.”

  "Handsome is as handsome does," said Esa sharply.

  She was silent a moment or two, then she said slowly: "Henet , I am worried.”

  "Worried, Esa ? What would worry you ? Anyway, the master will soon be here and then all will be well.”

  "Will it ? I wonder.”

  She was silent once more, then she said: "Is my grandson Yahmose in the house ?”

  "I saw him coming towards the porch a few moments ago.”

  "Go and tell him wish to speak with him.”

  'th Henet departed. She found Yahmose on the cool porch w its gaily coloured columns and gave him Esa's message.

  Yahmose obeyed the summons at once.

  Esa said abruptly: "Yahmose, very soon Imhotep will be here.”

  Yahmose's gentle face lighted up.

  "Yes, that will indeed be good.”

  0 "All is in order for him ? Affairs have prospered ?”

  "My father's instructions have been carried out as well as I could compass them.”

  "What of Ipy ?”

  Yahmose sighed.

  "My father is over indulgent where that boy is eonceraed.

  It is not good for the lad.”

  "You must make that clear to Imhotep.”

  Yahmose looked doubtful.

  IF. sa said firmly: "I will back you up.”

  ometmes, ad Yahmose, sghmg, there seems to be nothing but difficulties. But everything will be right when my father comes. He can make his own decisions then. It is hard to act as he would wish in his absence,, especially when I have no real authority, and only act as his delegate.”

  Esa said slowly: "You are a good son, loyal and affectionate. You have been a good husband too, you have obeyed the proverb that ays that a man should love his wife and make a home for her, that he should fill her belly and put clothes on her back, and provide expensive ointments for her toilet and that he should gladden her heart as long as she lives. But there is a further precept, it goes like this: Preent her from getting the mastery. ,I,f I were you, grandson, I should take that precept to heart ....

  Yahmose looked at her, flushed deeply and turned away.

  CHAPTER III.

  EVXVIRE there was bustle and preparation. Hundreds of loaves had been baked in the kitchen, now ducks were roasting; there was a smell of leeks and garlic and various spices. Women were shouting and iving orders, serving men rail to and fro.

  Everywhere ran the murmur: "The master, the master is coming . . .”

  Renisenb, helping to weave garlands of poppies and lotus flowers, felt an excited happiness bubbling up in her heart. Her father was coming home !-n the last few weeks she had slipped imperceptibly back into the confines of her old life. That first sense of unfamiliarity and strangeness, induced in her, she believed, by Hori's words, had gone. She was the same Renisenb , Yahmose, Satipy, Sobek and Kait were all the me, now, as in the past, there was all the bustle and fuss of preparation for Imhotep's return. Word had come ahead that he would be with them before nightfall. One of the servants had been posted on the River bank to give warning of the m.t.er's .approach: a,,d suddenly his voice rang out loud and, clear gnvmg t.n.e algreea?m.

  Renisenb dropped her flowers and ran out wtn tlae otlaex They all hastened towards the mooring plae? on He. River Yahmose and Sobek were already there m a lmle crow ox villagers, fishermen and farm labourers, all ealllng out excitedly and pointing.

  .

  Yes, there was the barge with ira great square .com..

  frost up the river with the North wind bellying out me.

  Close behind it was the kitchen barge crowded with men and women. Presently Renisenb could make out her father itting holding a lotus flower and with him someone whom she took to be a inger.

  The eries on the bank redoubled, Imhotep waved a welcoming hand, the sailors were heaving and pulling on the halyards.

  There were eriea of "Welcome to the master," calls upon the Gods, and thanks for his safe return, and a few momenta later Imhotep came ashore, greeting his family and answering the loud salutations that etiquette demanded.

  "Praise be to So,k,, the child of Neith, who him brought yg.u radely on the water 1' ' Praise be to Ptah, outh of the Memphite wall, who bringa you to us I Thanks be to Pa who illumines the Two Lands I”

  Reniaenb pressed forward, imoxieated with the general Renisen?

  thought: But ,h,e is a sma//man. I tnouglt of mm aa murm biker than that.' feeling that waa almost diamay passed over her.

  Had her father $]trsmk ? Or was her own memory at fault 8he had thought of him as rather a aplendid being, tyrannical, often fussy, exhorting everybody right and left, and 0,m,etimea provoking her to quiet inward laughter, tut nevermeAesa a personage. But this small, atout, elderly man, looking so full of his own importance and yet somehow faili..n.g to impretw.hat was wrong with her ? What were these disloyal thoughta mat came intoher head ?

  Imhotep, having finished the aonorou$ and eeremonisl phnlaes, had arrived at the atage of more personal greetings. He embraced his sons.

  "Ah, my ood Yahmoae, all $miles, you have been diligent in my absence, I am sure . . . And Sobelt, my handome aon, still given to merriness of heart, I see. And here is Ipy, my deare Ipy, let me look at you, stand away, so. Grown bi .gger, more of a man, how it rejoices my heart to hold you agaan [ And Renisenb, my dear daughter,, once more in the home. Satipy, Kait, my no less dear daughters . . . And Henet, my faithful Henet ..”

  Henet was kneeling, embracing his knees, and ostentatiously wiping tears of joy from her .e}es.

  "It is good to see you, l-ienet, you are well, happy ? As devoted as ever, that is pleasant to the heart . ..

  "And my excellent Hori, so clever with his accounts and his pen l All has prospered ? I am sure it has.”

  Then, the greetings finished and the surrounding murmur dying down, Imhotep raised his hand for silence and spoke out loud and clear.

  "My sons and daughters, friends. I have a piece of news for you. For many years, as you all know, I have been a lonely man in one respect. My wife (your mother, Yahmose and Sobek) and my sister (your mother, Ipy) have both gone to Osiris many years ago. So to you, Satipy and Kait, I bring a new sister to share your home. Behold, this is my concubine, Nofret, whom nOU shall love for my sake. She has come with me from Memlhi,' I the North and will dwell here with you when I go away again.' As he spoke he drew forward a woman by the hand. She stood there beside him, her head flung back, her eyes narrowed, young, arrogant and beautiful.

  Renisenb thought, with a shock of surprise: "But she's quite young, perhaps not as old as I am.”

  Nofret stood quite still. There was a faint smile on her lips,, it had more derision in it than any anxiety to please.

  She had very straight black brows and a rich bronze skin, and her eyelashes were so long and thick that one could hardly see her eyes.

  The family, taken aback, stared in dumb silence. With a faint edge of irritation in his voice, Imhotep said: "Come now, children, welcome Nofret. Don't you know how to greet your father's concubine when he brings her to his house ?”

  Haltingly and stumblingly the greetings were given.

  Imhotep, affecting a heartiness that perhaps concealed some uneasiness, exclaimed cheerfully: "That is better N, ofret, Satipy and Kait and Renisenb will take you to the women s quarters. Where are the trunks ? Have the trunks been brought ashore ?”

  The round-topped travelling trunks were beig carried from the barge. Imhotep said to Nofret: 3 "Your jewels and your clothes are here safely. Go and see to their bestowing.”

  Then, as the women moved away together, he turned to his "And what of the estate ? Does all go well ?”

  "The lower fields that were rented to Nakht "began Yahmose, but his father cut him short.

  "No details now, good Yahmose. They can wait. To-night is rejoicing. To-morrow you and I and Hori here will get to business.

  Come, lpy, my boy, let us walk t.o e house. How tall you have grownwyour head is above mine.

  Scowling, 8obek walked behind his rather and Ipy. Into Yahmose's ear he murmured: "Jewels and clothes, did you hear ? That is where the profits of the Northern estates have gone. Our profits.”

  "Hush," whispered Yahmose. "Our father will hear.”

  "What if he does ? I am not afraid of him as you are.”

  Once in the house, Henet .came to Imhotep's room to prepare the bath. She was all smiles.

  ,,Imhøtep abandoned a little of hLa' defensive' heartme,;' Well, Henet, and what do you think of my choice ?

  Although he had determined to carry things off with a high hand, he had known quite well that the arrival of Nofret would rovoke a storm-t least in the women's part of the house.

  enet was different. A singularly devoted creature. She did not disappoint him.

  "She ,a beautiful I Quite beautiful I What hair, what limbs 1 She is worthy of you, Imhotep, what can I say more than that ?

  Your dear wife who is dead will be glad that you have chosen such a companion to gladden your days.”

  "You think so, Henet ?”

  "I am sure of it, Imhotep. After mourning her so many years it is time that you once more enjoyed life.”

  "You knew her well... I, too, felt it was time to live as a man should live. Er ahem, my sous' wives and my daughter, they will take this with resentment perhaps 'tThey had better not," said Henet. "After all, do they not all depend upon you in this house ?”

  "l/ery true, very true," said Imhotep.

  "Your bounty leeds and clothes themwtheir welfare is entirely the result of your efforts.”

  "Yes, indeed." Imhotep sighed. "I am continually active on their behalf. I sometimes doubt if they realise all they owe to me.”

  "You must remind them of it," said Henet, nodding her head.

  "I, your humble devoted Henet, never forget what I owe yout but children are sometimes thoughtless and selfish, thinking, perhaps, that it is they who are important and not realising that they only carry out the instructions that you give.”

  "That is indeed most true," said Imhotep. "I have always said you were an intelligent creature, Henet.”

  Henet sighed. "If others only thought so.”

  "What is this ? Has anyone been unkind to you ?”

  "No, no,, that is, they do not mean ittit is a matter of course to them that I should work unceasingly (which I am glad to do) but a word of affection and appreciation, that is what makes all the difference.”

  "That you will always have from me," said Imhotep. "And this is always your home, remember.”

  "You are too kind, master." She paused and added: "The slaves are ready in the bathroom with the hot water, and when you have bathed and dressed, your mother asks that you should to her.”

  :Ah, my mother ? Yes, yes, of course “

  'I nhotep looked suddenly slightly embarrassed. He covered his confusion by saying quickly: "Naturally, I had intended thattell Esa I shall come.”

  II Esa, dressed in her best pleated linen gown, peered across at her son with a kind of sardonic amusement.

  "Welcome, Imhotep. So you have returned to us, and not alone, I hear.”

  Imhotep, drawing himself up, replied rather shamefacedly: "Oh, so you have heard ?'“

  "Naturally. The house is humming with the new . The girl is beautiful, they say, and quite young.”

  "She is nineteen and,, ernot ill looking.”

  Faa laughed, an old woman's spiteful cackle.

  "Ah, well," she said, "there's no fool like an old fool.”

  "My dear mother. I am really at a loss to understand what you mean.”

  Esa replied composedly: "You always were a fool, Imhotep.”

  Imhotep drew himself up and spluttered angrily. Though usually comfortably conscious of his own importance, his mother could always pierce the armour of his self esteem. In her preence he felt himself dwindling. The faint sarcastic l.e. am of her nearly sightless eyes never failed to disconcert him.

  HIS mother, there was nO denying, had never had an exaggerated opinion of his capabilities. And although he knew well that his own estimate of himself was the true one and his mother's a maternal idiosyncrasy of no importance, yet her attitude never failed to puncture his happy conceit of himself.

  "Is it so unusual for a man to bring home a concubine ?”

  "Not at all unusual. Men are usually fools.' "I fail to see where the folly comes in.”

  "Do you imagine that the presence of this girl is going to make for harmony in the household ? $atipy and Kait will be beside themselves and will inflame their husbands.”

  "What has it to do with them ? What right have they to object ?”

  "None.”

  Imhotep began to walk up and down angrily.

  "Can I not do as I please in my own house ? Do I not support my sons and their wives ? Do they not owe the very bread they eat to me ? Do I not tell them so wthout ce g "You are too fond of saying so, Imhotep.”

  "It is the truth. They all depend on me. All of them I ' "And are you sure that that is a good thing ?”

  "Are you saying that it is not a good thing for a man to support his family ?”

  Esa sighed.

  "They work for you, remember.”

  "Do you want me to encourage them in idleness ? Naturally they work.”

  "They are grown men, at least Yahmose and Sobek are, more than grown.”

  "$obek `tiaa no judgment. He does everything wrong. Also he is frequently impertinent which I will not tolerate. Yahmose is a good obedient boy”

  " good deal more than a boy I”

  "But sometimes I have to tell him things two or three times before he takes them in. I have to think of everything, be everywhere I All the time I am away, I am dictating to scribes, writtng full instructions so that my sons can carry them out...