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However, we have seen what Mentu thought of him, and Mentu's estimation might have represented that of all profound thinkers. But to the latter class, most assuredly, Meneptah did not belong.
On the day after Mentu's return from On, Kenkenes paid the first visit to Masaarah since the incident of the collar, and the last he thought to make until he had won that for which he strove. He went to bury the matting in the sand and to hide other evidences of recent occupancy about the niche.
Mentu's hands fell down at his sides. The simple questions had silenced him. His son was blameless now that he had expiated his offenses against the law, and from the moral standpoint his persistence in his claim on Rachel was just praiseworthy. "Nay," he said sullenly, "but since thou didst love the girl, how came it that thou didst not wed her long ago and save her this shame and danger?"
Besides, there were but two of us, after he had all but throttled me." Har-hat laughed again. "Aye, and after he pitched Nak over the cliff, there was but one. But tell me this: was he noble or a churl?" "He wore the circlet." Mentu's long fingers bent as if he longed for a throat between them. "The craven invented his giant to salve his valor," the priest said.
"He is Mentu's only son! Now, in the name of the mystery-dealing Hathors, how came it that he died not with the first-born?" After a silence he muttered aloud: "Gods! the army would barter its mummy to have the secret of his safety, this day!" At the first glimmerings of the dawn, the melody of many winded trumpets arose over the encampment of the Egyptians.
"There is, however, the element of danger now to take the place of the gracelessness we would have laid to him. Thou knowest Har-hat, my Lord." He thanked the dark-faced taskmaster. "Have no concern for the maiden. She is safe, I doubt not." He took Mentu's arm and passing up through the Israelitish camp, climbed the slope behind it.
The barge of Nechutes swung into position on the left of Senci the oars on Mentu's boat rose and halted and the vessel drifted till it was alongside her right. Kenkenes put his arm about Io, who stood beside him and whispered exultantly or irreverently concerning the vigilance of the cup-bearer and the murket.
It was the one graceful act in the life of the feeble king, the one resolution to which he held most tenaciously. Though Mentu's union with Senci was short, it was most happy, save perhaps for the absence of Kenkenes. But after the letter came from the well-beloved son there was more cheer in the heart of the father.
In mid-afternoon of the same day Hotep's chariot drew up at the portals of Mentu's house, and the scribe in his most splendid raiment was conducted to Kenkenes. The young sculptor was alone. "What was it, a palsy or the sun which kept thee at home this day?" was Hotep's greeting. "Nine is a mystic number and is fruitful of much gain. Eight times within a month have I come for thee.
"Out upon thee, idler!" was the warm reply. "Art thou come to vex me with thy doubts and scout thy sovereign's pious intentions?" The young man smiled. "Hath the sun shone on architecture or sculpture since Meneptah succeeded to the throne?" he asked. Mentu's eyes brightened wrathfully but the young man laid a soothing palm over the hand that gripped the reed. "I do not mock thee, father.
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