I am tired of you and your sniveling ways.
The sooner you are out of this house for good the better - and I shall see that you do go."
Henet's eyes flashed maliciously. "So you would turn me out, would you?
After all the care and love I have bestowed on you all.
Devoted, I've been, to the whole family.
Your father knows it well enough."
"He's heard about it enough, I'm sure!
And so have we!
In my opinion you're just an evil-tongued old mischief-maker.
You helped Nofret with her schemes - that I know well enough.
Then she died and you came fawning round us again.
But you'll see - in the end my father will listen to me and not to your lying tales."
"You're very angry, Ipy.
What has made you angry?"
"Never mind."
"You're not afraid of something, are you, Ipy?
There are odd things going on here."
"You can't frighten me, you old cat."
He flung himself past her and out of the house.
Henet turned slowly inwards. A groan from Yahmose attracted her attention.
He had raised himself from the couch and was trying to walk.
But his legs failed him almost at once and but for Henet's rapid assistance he would have fallen to the ground.
"There, Yahmose, there.
Lie back again."
"How strong you are, Henet.
One would not think it to look at you."
He settled back again with his head on the wooden headrest.
"Thank you.
But what is the matter with me?
Why this feeling as though my muscles were turned to water?"
"The matter is that this house is bewitched.
The work of a she-devil who came to us from the north.
No good ever came out of the north."
Yahmose murmured with sudden despondency: "I am dying.
Yes, I am dying..."
"Others will die before you," said Henet grimly.
"What?
What do you mean?"
He raised himself on an elbow and stared at her.
"I know what I am saying." Henet nodded her head several times.
"It is not you who will die next.
Wait and see." V
"Why do you avoid me, Renisenb?"
Kameni planted himself directly in Renisenb's way.
She flushed and found it difficult to give a suitable answer.
It was true that she had deliberately turned aside when she saw Kameni coming.
"Why, Renisenb, tell me why?"
But she had no answer ready - could only shake her head dumbly.
Then she glanced up at him as he stood facing her.
She had had a faint dread that Kameni's face too might seem different.