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Updated: May 23, 2025
Ta-meri gathered up the stakes and Nechutes, collecting the dice, went to find her a seat. But while he was gone, she wandered over to Kenkenes and leaned on the back of his chair. "Let me give thee a truth that seemeth to deny itself in the expression," Io said, turning so that she faced the young artist. "Say on," he replied, bending over her.
It was the sculptor's turn to be amazed. But with one of the instant realizations that acute memory effects, he recalled that he had disappeared immediately after Nechutes had been accepted by the Lady Ta-meri. And now, by the word of the apologetic cup-bearer, was it made apparent to Kenkenes that a tragic fancy concerning the cause of his disappearance had taken root in the cup-bearer's mind.
"The offices of cup-bearer and murket are to be bestowed in Memphis," Nechutes continued. "And the one falls to Nechutes," the lady declared triumphantly. "Of a truth thou hast a downy lot before thee, Nechutes," the young sculptor said heartily. "And never one so deserving of it. I give thee joy." "And the other goes to the noble Mentu," Nechutes added in a meek voice. "Sphinx!"
"I should wear the symbol-broidered robe of a soothsayer," the sculptor told himself. "You made a longer sojourn of your visit to Tape than you had intended," the lady said, after the greetings. "Nay, I have been in Memphis twenty days at least." "So?" queried Nechutes. "Where dost thou keep thyself?" "In the garb of labor among the ink-pots and papyri of the sculptor class," the lady answered.
He leaned his elbows on his knees, and clasping his hands before him, thought a while. In the silence the talk of the others was audible. "The festivities of Memphis have lost two, since they lost one," Menes mused. "Give us thy meaning," Nechutes asked. "Hast seen Hotep in Memphian revels since Kenkenes died?" the captain asked, by way of answer. Nechutes shook his head.
"But he will not remain here long," Nechutes went on. "He goes to Tanis to be near the scene of the Israelitish unrest." "Alas, Ta-meri, and wilt thou droop again?" Kenkenes asked. "I fear," she assented with a little sigh. Then, after a pause, she asked: "Does the murket follow the court?" Kenkenes shook his head. "Not when the Pharaoh travels.
But on the fifth day the rites of investiture had been brought to an end, and Mentu and Nechutes entered on the routine of service. To Mentu fell the dignified congratulations of his own world of sedate old nobles and stately women.
But Nechutes was younger and well beloved by youthful Memphis, so on the night of the fifth day, the house of Senci was aglow and in her banquet-room there was much young revel in his honor. Aromatic torches flaring in sconces lighted the friezes of lotus, the painted paneling on the walls, and the clustered pillars that upheld the ceiling of the chamber.
The pair started apart at sight of the princess. "A blessing on thy content, Ta-meri," the princess said. "And upon thine, Nechutes." The cup-bearer bowed and rumbled his appreciation of her courtesy. "Dost thou leave us, Ta-user?" his wife asked. "Aye, I return to the Hak-heb. O, I am glad to go. Would I could leave the same quiet here in Tanis that I hope to find in Nehapehu."
In his heart Kenkenes knew that Nechutes was unhappy and Hotep and Masanath; and even if there were those in the banquet-room who had no overweening sorrow, the evident discontent of the troubled oppressed them.
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