"The Israelite hath a nurse, a feeble and sick old woman, Deborah by
name, whom the minions of Har-hat abused. She can be of no further use
in servitude, and I would have thee set her free to bear company to her
love, the white-souled Rachel.
"But if these last prayers imperil the first by strain upon thy
indulgence, O Beloved of Ptah, do thou set them aside, and grant only
the safety of the oppressed maiden.
"These to thy hand, by the hand of the scribe, Hotep.
"KENKENES."
The letter complete, he summoned the messenger.
"How swift art thou?" he asked.
"So swift that my service is desired beyond mine opportunities to
accept," was the answer.
"How is it that thou art ready to serve me? Thou seest my plight."
"The jailer spoke of thee as petitioning the Pharaoh. The king is in
the north where I have not been in all the reign of Meneptah. Thou
offerest me a pleasure and the fee shall be in proportion to the length
of the journey."
"Nay, but thou art a genius. Thou dost move me to imitate the Hathors,
since they add fortune to the already fortunate. Mark me. I will give
thee thy fee now. If thou dost return me a letter showing that thou
hast carried the message with all faith and speed, I shall give thee
another fee on thy home-coming.
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