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II
Renisenb had been wandering aimlessly along the bank of the Nile
when she heard shouts and commotion and saw people running towards
the landing stage.
She ran and joined them. In the boat that was pulling to shore stood a
young man, and just for a moment, as she saw him outlined against the
bright light, her heart missed a beat.
A mad, fantastic thought leapt into her mind.
‘It is Khay,’ she thought. ‘Khay returned from the Underworld.’
Then she mocked herself for the superstitious fancy. Because in her own
remembrance, she always thought of Khay as sailing on the Nile, and this
was indeed a young man of about Khay’s build– she had imagined a
fantasy. This man was younger than Khay, with an easy, supple grace, and
had a laughing, gay face.
He had come, he told them, from Imhotep’s estates in the North. He was
a scribe and his name was Kameni.
A slave was despatched for her father and Kameni was taken to the
house where food and drink were put before him. Presently her father ar-
rived and there was much consultation and talking.
The gist of it all filtered through into the women’s quarters with Henet,
as usual, as the purveyor of the news. Renisenb sometimes wondered how
it was that Henet always contrived to know all about everything.
Kameni, it seemed, was a young scribe in Imhotep’s employ–the son of
one of Imhotep’s cousins. Kameni had discovered certain fraudulent dis-
positions– a falsifying of the accounts, and since the matter had many
ramifications and involved the stewards of the property, he had thought it
best to come South in person and report.
Renisenb was not much interested. It was clever, she thought, of Kameni
to have discovered all this. Her father would be pleased with him.
The immediate outcome of the matter was that Imhotep made hurried
preparations for departure. He had not meant to leave for another two
months, but now the sooner he was on the spot the better.
The whole household was summoned and innumerable exordiums and
recommendations were made. This was to be done and that. Yahmose was
on no account to do such and such a thing. Sobek was to exercise the ut-
most discretion over something else. It was all, Renisenb thought, very fa-
miliar. Yahmose was attentive, Sobek was sulky. Hori, as usual, was calm
and efficient. Ipy’s demands and importunities were put aside with more
sharpness than usual.
‘You are too young to have a separate allowance. Obey Yahmose. He
knows my wishes and commands.’ Imhotep placed a hand on his eldest
son’s shoulder. ‘I trust you, Yahmose. When I return we will speak once
more of a partnership.’
Yahmose flushed quickly with pleasure. He drew himself a little more
erect.
Imhotep went on:
‘See only that all goes well in my absence. See to it that my concubine is
well treated–and with due honour and respect. She is in your charge. It is
for you to control the conduct of the women of the household. See that
Satipy curbs her tongue. See also that Sobek duly instructs Kait. Renisenb,
also, must act towards Nofret with courtesy. Then I will have no unkind-
ness shown toward our good Henet. The women, I know, find her tiresome
sometimes. She has been here long and thinks herself privileged to say
many things that are sometimes unwelcome. She has, I know, neither
beauty nor wit–but she is faithful, remember, and has always been de-
voted to my interests. I will not have her despised and abused.’
‘Everything shall be done as you say,’ said Yahmose. ‘But Henet som-
times makes trouble with her tongue.’
‘Pah! Nonsense! All women do. Not Henet more than another. Now as to
Kameni, he shall remain here. We can do with another scribe and he can
assist Hori. As for that land that we have rented to the woman Yaii–’
Imhotep went off into meticulous details.
When at last all was ready for the departure Imhotep felt a sudden
qualm. He took Nofret aside and said doubtfully:
‘Nofret, are you content to remain here? Would it be, perhaps, best if,
after all, you came with me?’
Nofret shook her head and smiled.
‘You will not be long absent,’ she said.
‘Three months–perhaps four. Who knows?’
‘You see–it will not be long. I shall be content here.’
Imhotep said fussily:
‘I have enjoined upon Yahmose–upon all my sons–that you are to have
every consideration. On their heads be it if you have anything of which to
complain!’
‘They will do as you say, I am sure, Imhotep.’ Nofret paused. Then she
said, ‘Who is there here whom I can trust absolutely? Someone who is
truly devoted to your interests? I do not mean one of the family.’
‘Hori–my good Hori? He is in every way my right hand–and a man of
good sense and discrimination.’
Nofret said slowly:
‘He and Yahmose are like brothers. Perhaps–’
‘There is Kameni. He, too, is a scribe. I will enjoin on him to place him-
self at your service. If you have anything of which to complain, he will
write down your words with his pen and despatch the complaint to me.’
Nofret nodded appreciatively.
‘That is a good thought. Kameni comes from the North. He knows my
father. He will not be influenced by family considerations.’
‘And Henet,’ exclaimed Imhotep. ‘There is Henet.’
‘Yes,’ said Nofret, reflectively. ‘There is Henet. Suppose that you were to
speak to her now–in front of me?’
‘An excellent plan.’
Henet was sent for and came with her usual cringing eagerness. She
was full of lamentations over Imhotep’s departure. Imhotep cut her short
with abruptness.
‘Yes, yes, my good Henet–but these things must be. I am a man who can
seldom count on any stretch of peace or rest. I must toil ceaselessly for my
family–little though they sometimes appreciate it. Now I wish to speak to
you very seriously. You love me faithfully and devotedly, I know–I can
leave you in a position of trust. Guard Nofret here–she is very dear to me.’
‘Whoever is dear to you, master, is dear to me,’ Henet declared with fer-
vour.
‘Very good. Then you will devote yourself to Nofret’s interests?’
Henet turned towards Nofret who was watching her under lowered lids.
‘You are too beautiful, Nofret,’ she said. ‘That is the trouble. That is why
the others are jealous–but I will look after you–I will warn you of all they
say and do. You can count on me!’
There was a pause whilst the eyes of the two women met.
‘You can count on me,’ Henet repeated.
A slow smile came to Nofret’s lips–a rather curious smile.
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘I understand you, Henet. I think I can count on you.’
Imhotep cleared his throat noisily.
‘Then I think all is arranged–yes–everything is satisfactory. Organiza-
tion–that has always been my strong point.’
There was a dry cackle of laughter and Imhotep turned sharply to see
his mother standing in the entrance of the room. She was supporting her
weight on a stick and looked more dried up and malevolent than ever.
‘What a wonderful son I have!’ she observed.
‘I must not delay–there are some instructions to Hori–’ Muttering im-
portantly, Imhotep hurried from the room. He managed to avoid meeting
his mother’s eye.
Esa gave an imperious nod of the head to Henet–and Henet glided obedi-
ently out of the room.
Nofret had risen. She and Esa stood looking at each other. Esa said: ‘So
my son is leaving you behind? You had better go with him, Nofret.’
‘He wishes me to stay here.’
Nofret’s voice was soft and submissive. Esa gave a shrill chuckle.
‘Little good that would be if you wanted to go! And why do you not want
to go? I do not understand you. What is there for you here? You are a girl
who has lived in cities–who has perhaps travelled. Why do you choose the
monotony of day after day here–amongst those who–I am frank–do not
like you–who in fact dislike you?’
‘So you dislike me?’
Esa shook her head.
‘No–I do not dislike you. I am old and though I can see but dimly–I can
still see beauty and enjoy it. You are beautiful, Nofret, and the sight of you
pleases my old eyes. Because of your beauty I wish you well. I am warning
you. Go North with my son.’
Again Nofret repeated: ‘He wishes me to stay here.’
The submissive tone was now definitely impregnated with mockery. Esa
said sharply:
‘You have a purpose in remaining here. What is it, I wonder? Very well,
on your own head be it. But be careful. Act discreetly. And trust no one.’
She wheeled abruptly and went out. Nofret stood quite still. Very slowly
her lips curved upwards in a wide, catlike smile.
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