"Yes, yes - but inclined to be slow and somewhat afraid of responsibility."
Esa said drily: "Responsibility is a thing you have never allowed him to have!"
"Well, all that will be changed now.
I am arranging a deed of association and partnership. It will be signed in a few days' time. I am associating with myself all my three sons."
"Surely not Ipy?"
"He would be hurt to be left out.
Such a dear, warm-hearted lad."
"There is certainly nothing slow about him," observed Esa.
"As you say.
And Sobek too - I have been displeased with him in the past, but he has really turned over a new leaf of late.
He no longer idles his time away, and he defers more to my judgment and to that of Yahmose."
"This is indeed a hymn of praise," said Esa.
"Well, Imhotep, I must say that I think you are doing the right thing.
It was bad policy to make your sons discontented.
But I still think that Ipy is too young for what you propose.
It is ridiculous to give a boy of that age a definite position.
What hold will you have over him?"
"There is something in that, certainly." Imhotep looked thoughtful.
Then he roused himself.
"I must go.
There are a thousand things to see to.
The embalmers are here - there are all the arrangements to make for Satipy's burial.
These deaths are costly - very costly.
And following so quickly one upon the other!"
"Oh, well," said Esa consolingly, "we'll hope this is the last of them - until my time comes!"
"You will live many years yet, I hope, my dear mother."
"I'm sure you hope so," said Esa with a grin.
"No economy over me, if you please!
It wouldn't look well!
I shall want a good deal of equipment to amuse me in the other world.
Plenty of food and drink and a lot of models of slaves - a richly ornamented gaming board, perfume sets and cosmetics, and I insist on the most expensive canopic jars - the alabaster ones."
"Yes, yes, of course."
Imhotep changed his position nervously from one foot to the other.
"Naturally all respect will be paid when the sad day comes.
I must confess that I feel rather differently about Satipy.
One does not want a scandal, but really, in the circumstances -"
Imhotep did nor finish his sentence, but hurried away.
Esa smiled sardonically as she realized that that one phrase "in the circumstances" was the nearest Imhotep would ever get towards admitting that an accident did not fully describe the way his valued concubine had met her death.
Chapter 14 FIRST MONTH OF SUMMER, 25TH DAY
With the return of the members of the family from the Nomarch's court, the deed of association duly ratified, a general spirit of hilarity was felt.
The exception was undoubtedly Ipy who had, at the last moment, been excluded from participation on the ground of his extreme youth. He was sullen in consequence and purposely absented himself from the house.
Imhotep, in excellent spirits, called for a pitcher of wine to be brought out onto the porch where it was placed in the big wine stand.
"You shall drink, my son," he declared, clapping Yahmose on the shoulder.
"Forget for the moment your sorrow in bereavement.
Let us think only of the good days that are to come."
Imhotep, Yahmose, Sobek and Hori drank the toast.
Then word was brought that an ox had been stolen and all four men went hurriedly off to verify the report.
When Yahmose re-entered the courtyard, an hour later, he was tired and hot.
He went to where the wine jar still stood in the stand. He dipped a bronze cup into it and sat down on the porch, gently sipping the wine.
A little later Sobek came striding in and exclaimed with pleasure.