"Ha," he said.
"Now for more wine! Let us drink to our future which is at last well-assured.
Undoubtedly this is a joyful day for us, Yahmose!"
Yahmose agreed. "Yes, indeed. It will make life easier in every way."
"You are always so moderate in your feelings, Yahmose." Sobek laughed as he spoke and dipping a cup in the wine, he tossed it off, smacking his lips as he put it down.
"Let us see now whether my father will be as much of a stick-in-the-mud as ever, or whether I shall be able to convert him to up-to-date methods."
"I should go slowly if I were you," Yahmose counselled.
"You are always so hotheaded."
Sobek smiled at his brother affectionately.
He was in high good-humor.
"Old slow-and-sure," he said scoffingly.
Yahmose smiled, not at all put out.
"It is the best way in the end.
Besides, my father has been very good to us.
We must do nothing to cause him worry."
Sobek looked at him curiously. "You are really fond of our father?
You are an affectionate creature, Yahmose!
Now I - I care for nobody - for nobody, that is, but Sobek, long life to him!"
He took another draught of wine.
"Be careful," Yahmose said warningly.
"You have eaten little today.
Sometimes, then, when one drinks wine -" He broke off with a sudden contortion of the lips.
"What is the matter, Yahmose?"
"Nothing - a sudden pain - I, it is nothing..."
But he raised a hand to wipe his forehead which was suddenly bedewed with moisture.
"You do not look well."
"I was quite all right just now."
"So long as nobody has poisoned the wine." Sobek laughed at his own words and stretched out his arm toward the jar.
Then, in the very act, his arm stiffened, his body bent forward in a sudden spasm of agony...
"Yahmose," he gasped. "Yahmose... I - too..."
Yahmose, slipping forward, was bent double.
A half-stifled cry came from him.
Sobek was now contorted with pain.
He raised his voice. "Help.
Send for a physician - a physician..."
Henet came running out of the house.
"You called?
What was it that you said?
What is it?"
Her alarmed cries brought others. The two brothers were both groaning with pain.
Yahmose said faintly: "The wine - poison - send for a physician..."
Henet uttered a shrill cry: "More misfortune.
In truth this house is accursed.
Quick!
Hurry!
Send to the Temple for the Divine Father Mersu, who is a skilled physician of great experience."
II
Imhotep paced up and down the central hall of the house.
His fine linen robe was soiled and limp, he had neither bathed nor changed.
His face was drawn with worry and fear.