I didn't mean -" She looked round her again.
How pleasant it was, this family scene, with the splashing water and the children at play.
She drew a deep breath.
"How peaceful it is here.
One can't imagine anything - horrible - happening here."
But it was by the lake that they found Ipy the next morning.
He was sprawled face downwards with his face in the water where a hand had held him while he drowned.
Chapter 18 SECOND MONTH OF SUMMER, 10TH DAY
Imhotep sat huddled down upon himself.
He looked very much older, a broken, shrunken old man.
On his face was a piteous look of bewilderment.
Henet brought him food and coaxed him to take it.
"Yes, yes, Imhotep, you must keep up your strength."
"Why should I?
What is strength?
Ipy was strong - strong in youth and beauty - and now he lies in the brine bath... My son, my dearly loved son.
The last of my sons."
"No, no, Imhotep - you have Yahmose, your good Yahmose."
"For how long?
No, he too is doomed.
We are all doomed.
What evil is this that has come upon us?
Could I know that such things would come of taking a concubine into my house?
It is an accepted thing to do - it is righteous and according to the law of men and Gods.
I treated her with honor.
Why, then, should these things come upon me?
Or is it Ashayet who wreaks vengeance upon me?
Is it she who will not forgive?
Certainly she has made no answer to my petition. The evil business still goes on."
"No, no, Imhotep. You must not say that.
So short a time has passed since the bowl was placed in the offering-chamber.
Does one not know how long affairs of law and justice take in this world - how endless are the delays in the Nomarch's court - and still more when a case goes up to the Vizier?
Justice is justice, in this world and the next, a business that moves slowly but is adjusted with righteousness in the end."
Imhotep shook his head doubtfully.
Henet went on:
"Besides, Imhotep, you must remember that Ipy was not Ashayet's son - he was born to your sister Ipi.
Why, then, should Ashayet concern herself violently on his behalf?
But with Yahmose, it will be different - Yahmose will recover because Ashayet will see to it that he does."
"I must admit, Henet, that your words comfort me... There is much in what you say.
Yahmose, it is true, recovers strength now every day.
He is a good loyal son - but, oh! for my Ipy - such spirit - such beauty!" Imhotep groaned anew.
"Alas!
Alas!" Henet wailed in sympathy.
"That accursed girl and her beauty!
Would I had never set eyes on her."
"Yes, indeed, dear master.
A daughter of Set if I ever saw one.
Learned in magic and evil spells, there can be no doubt about it."
There was the tap of a stick on the floor and Esa came limping into the hall.
She gave a derisive snort. "Has no one in this house any sense?