死亡终局8
时间：2026-06-30 10:40:59
（单词翻译:单击）
CHAPTER FOUR
THIRD MONTH OF INUNDATION 15 TH DAY
Imhotep listened to Sobek’s explanation of the sale of the timber in omin-
ous silence. His face had grown very red and a small pulse was beating in
his temple.
Sobek’s air of easy nonchalance wore a little thin. He had intended to
carry things off with a high hand, but in the face of his father’s gathering
frowns, he found himself stammering and hesitating.
Imhotep finally cut him short impatiently.
‘Yes, yes, yes–you thought that you knew more than I did–you departed
from my instructions–it is always the same–unless I am here to see to
everything…’ He sighed. ‘What would become of you boys without me I
cannot imagine!’
Sobek went on doggedly:
‘There was a chance of making a much bigger profit –I took the risk. One
cannot always be pettifogging and cautious!’
‘There is nothing cautious about you, Sobek! You are rash and much too
bold and your judgement is always wrong.’
‘Do I ever have a chance to exercise my judgement?’
Imhotep said drily:
‘You have done so this time–and against my express orders–’
‘Orders? Have I always got to take orders? I am a grown man.’
Losing control of his temper, Imhotep shouted:
‘Who feeds you, who clothes you? Who thinks of the future? Who has
your welfare– the welfare of all of you– constantly in mind? When the
River was low and we were threatened with famine, did I not arrange for
food to be sent south to you? You are lucky to have such a father–who
thinks of everything! And what do I ask in return? Only that you should
work hard, do your best, and obey the instructions I send you–’
‘Yes,’ shouted Sobek. ‘We are to work for you like slaves–so that you can
buy gold and jewels for your concubine!’
Imhotep advanced towards him, bristling with rage.
‘Insolent boy–to speak like that to your father. Be careful or I will say
that this is no longer your home–and you can go elsewhere!’
‘And if you are not careful I will go! I have ideas, I tell you–good ideas–
that would bring in wealth if I was not tied down by pettifogging caution
and never allowed to act as I choose.’
‘Have you finished?’
Imhotep’s tone was ominous. Sobek, a trifle deflated, muttered angrily:
‘Yes–yes–I have no more to say–now.’
‘Then go and see after the cattle. This is no time for idling.’
Sobek turned and strode angrily away. Nofret was standing not far
away and as he passed her she looked sideways at him and laughed. At
her laugh the blood came up in Sobek’s face–he made an angry half step
towards her. She stood quite still, looking at him out of contemptuous half-
closed eyes.
Sobek muttered something and resumed his former direction. Nofret
laughed again, then walked slowly on to where Imhotep was now turning
his attention to Yahmose.
‘What possessed you to let Sobek act in that foolish fashion?’ he deman-
ded irritably. ‘You should have prevented it! Don’t you know by now that
he has no judgement in buying and selling? He thinks everything will turn
out as he wants it to turn out.’
Yahmose said apologetically:
‘You do not realize my difficulties, father. You told me to entrust Sobek
with the sale of the timber. It was necessary therefore that it should be left
to him to use his judgement.’
‘Judgement? Judgement? He has no judgement! He is to do what I in-
struct him to do–and it is for you to see that he does exactly that.’
Yahmose flushed.
‘I? What authority have I?’
‘What authority? The authority I give you.’
‘But I have no real status. If I were legally associated with you–’
He broke off as Nofret came up. She was yawning and twisting a scarlet
poppy in her hands.
‘Won’t you come to the little pavilion by the lake, Imhotep? It is cool
there and there is fruit waiting for you and Keda beer. Surely you have
finished giving your orders by now.’
‘In a minute, Nofret–in a minute.’
Nofret said in a soft, deep voice:
‘Come now. I want you to come now…’
Imhotep looked pleased and a little sheepish. Yahmose said quickly be-
fore his father could speak.
‘Let us just speak of this first. It is important. I want to ask you–’
Nofret spoke directly to Imhotep, turning her shoulder on Yahmose:
‘Can you not do what you want in your own house?’
Imhotep said sharply to Yahmose:
‘Another time, my son. Another time.’
He went with Nofret and Yahmose stood on the porch looking after
them.
Satipy came out from the house and joined him.
‘Well,’ she demanded eagerly, ‘have you spoken to him? What did he
say?’
Yahmose sighed.
‘Do not be so impatient, Satipy. The time was not–propitious.’
Satipy gave an angry exclamation.
‘Oh yes–that is what you would say! That is what you will always say.
The truth is you are afraid of your father–you are as timid as a sheep–you
bleat at him–you will not stand up to him like a man! Do you not recall the
things you promised me? I tell you I am the better man of us two! You
promise–you say: “I will ask my father–at once–the very first day.” And
what happens–’
Satipy paused–for breath, not because she had finished–but Yahmose
cut in mildly:
‘You are wrong, Satipy. I began to speak–but we were interrupted.’
‘Interrupted? By whom?’
‘By Nofret.’
‘Nofret! That woman! Your father should not let his concubine interrupt
when he is speaking of business to his eldest son. Women should not con-
cern themselves with business.’
Possibly Yahmose wished that Satipy herself would live up to the maxim
she was enunciating so glibly, but he was given no opportunity to speak.
His wife swept on:
‘Your father should have made that clear to her at once.’
‘My father,’ said Yahmose drily, ‘showed no signs of displeasure.’
‘It is disgraceful,’ Satipy declared. ‘Your father is completely bewitched
by her. He lets her say and do as she pleases.’
Yahmose said thoughtfully:
‘She is very beautiful…’
Satipy snorted.
‘Oh, she has looks of a kind. But no manners! No upbringing! She does
not care how rude she is to all of us.’
‘Perhaps you are rude to her?’
‘I am the soul of politeness. Kait and I treat her with every courtesy. Oh,
she shall have nothing of which to go complaining to your father. We can
wait our time, Kait and I.’
Yahmose looked up sharply.
‘How do you mean–wait your time?’
Satipy laughed meaningfully as she moved away.
‘My meaning is woman’s meaning–you would not understand. We have
our ways–and our weapons! Nofret would do well to moderate her in-
solence. What does a woman’s life come to in the end, after all? It is spent
in the back of the house–amongst the other women.’
There was a peculiar significance in Satipy’s tone. She added:
‘Your father will not always be here…He will go away again to his es-
tates in the North. And then–we shall see.’
‘Satipy–’
Satipy laughed–a hard-sounding, high laugh, and went back into the
house.
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