"How dost thou know these things," he asked hurriedly; "all these
things--sculpture, religion, history?"
"I was not born a slave," she answered simply.
"Nay, cast out that word. I would never hear thee speak it, Rachel."
"Then, I was born out of servitude. My great grandsire was exempted by
Seti when Israel went into bondage. His children and all his house
were given to profit by the covenant. But the name grew wealthy and
powerful to the third generation. My father was Maai the
Compassionate, who loved his brethren better than himself. Them he
helped. Rameses the Great forgot his father's promise when he found he
had need of my father's treasure--" she paused and continued as if the
recital hurt her. "There were ten--four of my mother's house, six of
my father's. To the mines and the brick-fields they were sent, and in
a little space I was all that was left."
Horrified and conscience-stricken, Kenkenes made as if to speak, but
she went on hurriedly.
"My mother's nurse, Deborah, who went with us into servitude, is
learned, having been taught by my mother, and I have been her pupil."
"And there is not one of thy blood--not one guardian kinsman left to
thee?" Kenkenes asked slowly.
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