'The name of
Neferari Thermuthis defends her,' he said; 'let her go hence'."
"'And I take no amelioration to my people?' she demanded. 'Nay,' he
replied, 'not in the smallest part shall their labor be lessened.'
"Holy Isis, thou shouldst have seen her then, Kenkenes!
"She approached the very dais of the throne and, throwing up her arms,
flung her defiance into the face of her sovereign. It were treason to
utter her words again. I have seen men white and shaking from rage, but
Meneptah never hath so much of temper to display. Far be it from me to
say that the king was afraid, but I tell you, Kenkenes, mine own hair is
not yet content to lie flat. She concentrated all the denunciatory
bitterness of the tongue and pronounced and gloried in the doom of the
dynasty, heaping the blame of its destruction upon the head of Meneptah!"
The scribe finished his story in a whisper. Kenkenes was by this time
sitting up, his eyes shining with interest and wonder.
"Gods! Hotep, thou dost make me creep."
"Creep!" the scribe responded heartily, "never in my life have I so
wanted to flee a royal audience. When she had done, she turned and swept
from the presence and no man lifted a finger to stay her.
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