lumu9.cc 
"It is true that I am very busy today. I have to oversee everything since my father has gone to the Temple."
"Young jackals bark loud," said Esa.
But Ipy was quite unperturbable.
"Come, Grandmother, you must have more to say to me than that."
"Certainly I have more to say. And to begin with, this is a house of mourning. Your brother Sobek's body is already in the hands of the embalmers. Yet your face is as cheerful as though this was a festival day."
Ipy grinned.
"You are no hypocrite, Esa. Would you have me be one? You know very well that there was no love lost between me and Sobek. He did everything he could to thwart and annoy me. He treated me as a child. He gave me all the most humiliating and childish tasks in the fields. Frequently he jeered and laughed at me. And when my father would have associated me with him in partnership, together with my older brothers, it was Sobek who persuaded him not to do so."
"What makes you think it was Sobek who persuaded him?" asked Esa sharply.
"Kameni told me so."
"Kameni?" Esa raised her eyebrows, pushed her wig on one side, and scratched her head. "Kameni indeed. Now I find that interesting."
"Kameni said he had it from zhaiyuedu.com - and we all agree that zhaiyuedu.com always knows everything."
"Nevertheless," said Esa drily, "this is an occasion when zhaiyuedu.com was wrong in her facts. Doubtless both Sobek and Yahmose were of the opinion that you were too young for the business - but it was I - yes, I - who dissuaded your father from including you."
"You, Grandmother?" The boy stared at her in frank surprise. Then a dark scowl altered the expression of his face, the flower fell from his lips. "Why should you do that? What business was it of yours?"
"My family's business is my business."
"And my father listened to you?"
"Not at the moment," said Esa drily. "But I will teach you a lesson, my handsome child. Women work roundabout - and they learn - if they are not born with the knowledge - to play on the weaknesses of men. You may remember I sent zhaiyuedu.com with the gaming board to the porch in the cool of the evening."
"I remember. My father and I played together. What of it?"
"This. You played three games. And each time, being a much cleverer player, you beat your father."
"Yes."
"That is all," said Esa, closing her eyes. "Your father, like all inferior players, did not like being beaten - especially by a chit of a boy. So he remembered my words - and he decided that you were certainly too young to be given a share in the partnership."
Ipy stared at her for a moment. Then he laughed - not a very pleasant laugh.
"You are clever, Esa," he said. "Yes, you may be old, but you are clever. Decidedly you and I have the brains of the family. You have pegged out in the first match on our gaming board. But you will see, I shall win the second. So look to yourself, Grandmother."
"I intend to," said Esa. "And in return for your words, let me advise you to look to yourself. One of your brothers is dead, the other has been near to death. You also are your father's son - and you may go the same way."
Ipy laughed scornfully.
"There is little fear of that."
"Why not? You also threatened and insulted Nofret."
"Nofret!" Ipy's scorn was unmistakable.
"What is in your mind?" demanded Esa sharply.
"I have my ideas, Grandmother. And I can assure you that Nofret and her spirit tricks will not worry me. Let her do her worst."
There was a shrill wail behind him and zhaiyuedu.com ran in crying out:
"Foolish boy - imprudent child. Defying the dead! And after we've all had a taste of her quality! And not so much as an amulet on you for protection!"
"Protection? I will protect myself. Get out of my way, zhaiyuedu.com. I've got work to do. Those lazy peasants shall know what it is to have a real master over them."
Pushing zhaiyuedu.com aside, Ipy strode out of the room.
Esa cut short zhaiyuedu.com's wails and lamentations.
"Listen to me, zhaiyuedu.com, and stop exclaiming about Ipy. He may know what he is doing or he may not. His manner is very odd. But answer me this: Did you tell Kameni that it was Sobek who had persuaded Imhotep not to include Ipy in the deed of association?"
zhaiyuedu.com's voice dropped to its usual whining key.
"I'm sure I'm far too busy in the house to waste my time running about telling people things - and telling Kameni, of all people. I'm sure I'd never speak a word to him if he didn't come and speak to me. He's got a pleasant manner, as you must admit yourself, Esa - and I'm not the only one who thinks so - oh, dear, no! And if a young widow wants to make a new contract, well, she usually fancies a handsome young man - though what Imhotep would say I'm sure I don't know. Kameni is only a junior scribe, when all is said and done."
"Never mind what Kameni is or isn't! Did you tell him that it was Sobek who opposed Ipy being made a partner in the association?"
"Well, really, Esa, I can't remember what I may or may not have said. I didn't actually go and tell anyone anything, that much is sure. But a word passes here and there, and you know yourself that Sobek was saying - and Yahmose too for that matter, though, of course, not so loud nor so often - that Ipy was a mere boy and that it would never do - and for all I know Kameni may have heard him say it himself and not got it from me at all. I never gossip - but after all, a tongue is given one to speak with, and I'm not a deaf mute."
"That you most certainly are not," said Esa. "A tongue, zhaiyuedu.com, may sometimes be a weapon. A tongue may cause a death - may cause more than one death. I hope your tongue, zhaiyuedu.com, has not caused a death."
"Why, Esa, the things you say! And what's in your mind? I'm sure I never say a word to anybody that I wouldn't be willing to let the whole world overhear. I'm so devoted to the whole family - I'd die for anyone of them. Oh, they underestimate old zhaiyuedu.com's devotion. I promised their dear mother -"
"Ha," said Esa, cutting her short, "here comes my plump reed bird, cooked with leeks and celery. It smells delicious - cooked to a turn. Since you're so devoted, zhaiyuedu.com, you can take a little mouthful from one side - just in case it's poisoned."
"Esa!" zhaiyuedu.com gave a squeal. "Poisoned! How can you say such things! And cooked in our very own kitchen."
"Well," said Esa, "someone's got to taste it - just in case. And it had better be you, zhaiyuedu.com, since you're so willing to die for any member of the family. I don't suppose it would be too painful a death. Come on, zhaiyuedu.com. Look how plump and juicy and tasty it is. No, thanks, I don't want to lose my little slave girl. She's young and merry. You've passed your best days, zhaiyuedu.com, and it wouldn't matter so much what happened to you. Now then - open your mouth... Delicious, isn't it? I declare - you're looking quite green in the face. Didn't you like my little joke? I don't believe you did. Ha ha, he he!"
Esa rolled about with merriment, then composing herself suddenly, she set greedily to work to eat her favorite dish.
Chapter 16
SECOND MONTH OF SUMMER, 1ST DAY
The consultation at the Temple was over. The exact form of the petition had been drawn up and amended. Hori and two Temple scribes had been busily employed. Now at last the first step had been taken.
The priest signed that the draft of the petition should be read out.
"To the most excellent Spirit Ashayet:
