The following day was the festival of the new moon.
Imhotep was forced to go up to the Tomb to make the offerings.
Yahmose begged his father to leave it to him on this occasion, but Imhotep was obdurate.
With what seemed now a feeble parody of his old manner, he murmured, "Unless I see to things myself, how can I be sure they are properly done?
Have I ever shirked my duties?
Have I not provided for all of you, supported you all -"
His voice stopped.
"All?
All?
Ah, I forget - my two brave sons - my handsome Sobek - my clever and beloved Ipy - gone from me.
Yahmose and Renisenb - my dear son and daughter - you are still with me - but for how long - how long?"
"Many long years, we hope," said Yahmose.
He spoke rather loudly as to a deaf man.
"Eh?
What?"
Imhotep seemed to have fallen into a coma.
He said suddenly and surprisingly:
"It depends on Henet, does it not?
Yes, it depends on Henet."
Yahmose and Renisenb exchanged glances.
Renisenb said gently and clearly: "I do not understand you, Father."
Imhotep muttered something they did not catch.
Then, raising his voice a little, but with dull and vacant eyes, he said:
"Henet understands me.
She always has.
She knows how great my responsibilities are - how great. Yes, how great... And always ingratitude... Therefore there must be retribution.
That, I think, is a practice well-established.
Presumption must be punished.
Henet has always been modest, humble and devoted.
She shall be rewarded..."
He drew himself up and said pompously:
"You understand, Yahmose.
Henet is to have all she wants.
Her commands are to be obeyed!"
"But why is this, Father?"
"Because I say so.
Because if what Henet wants is done, there will be no more deaths..."
He nodded his head sagely and went away - leaving Yahmose and Renisenb staring at each other in wonder and alarm.
"What does this mean, Yahmose?"
"I do not know, Renisenb.
Sometimes I think my father no longer knows what he does or says."
"No - perhaps not.
But I think, Yahmose, that Henet knows very well what she is saying and doing.
She said to me, only the other day, that it would soon be she who would crack the whip in this house."
They looked at each other.
Then Yahmose put his hand on Renisenb's arm.
"Do not anger her.
You show your feelings too plainly, Renisenb.
You heard what my father said?
If what Henet wants is done - there will be no more deaths..."