The boy laughed, throwing back his handsome head.
"Nofret did not love you overwell, Ipy."
"Nothing can harm me, Renisenb, unless I choose to let it!
I am young still, but I am one of those people who are born to succeed.
As for you, Renisenb, you would do well to be on my side, do you hear?
You treat me, often, as an irresponsible boy.
But I am more than that now.
Every month will show a difference.
Soon there will be no will but mine in this place.
My father may give the orders but though his voice speaks them, the brain that conceives them will be mine!"
He took a step or two, paused, and said over his shoulder:
"So be careful, Renisenb, that I do not become displeased with you."
As Renisenb stood staring after him, she heard a footstep and turned to see Kait standing beside her.
"What was Ipy saying, Renisenb?"
Renisenb said slowly: "He says that he will be master here soon."
"Does he?" said Kait.
"I think otherwise."
III
Ipy ran lightly up the steps of the porch and into the house.
The sight of Yahmose lying on a couch seemed to please him. He said gaily:
"Well, how goes it, Brother?
Are we never to see you back on the cultivation?
I cannot understand why everything has not gone to pieces without you!"
Yahmose said fretfully in a weak voice:
"I do not understand it at all.
The poison is now eliminated.
Why do I not regain my strength?
I tried to walk this morning and my legs would not support me.
I am weak - weak - and what is worse, I seem to grow weaker every day."
Ipy shook his head with facile commiseration.
"That is indeed bad.
And the physicians give no help?"
"Mersu's assistant comes every day.
He cannot understand my condition.
I drink strong decoctions of herbs. The daily incantations are made to the goddess.
Special food full of nourishment is prepared for me.
There is no reason, so the physician assures me, why I should not rapidly grow strong.
Yet instead, I seem to waste away."
"That is too bad," said Ipy.
He went on, singing softly under his breath till he came upon his father and Hori engaged with a sheet of accounts.
Imhotep's face, anxious and careworn, lightened at the sight of his much-loved youngest son.
"Here is my Ipy.
What have you to report from the estate?"
"All goes well, Father.
We have been reaping the barley.
A good crop."
"Yes, thanks to Re, all goes well outside.
Would it went as well inside.
Still I must have faith in Ashayet - she will not refuse to aid us in our distress.
I am worried about Yahmose.