"
"Hotep will obey as I command; that thou knowest," he said with dignity.
"Thou wilt not reach the point of command with him," she vehemently
insisted. "He would catch thine intent ere thou hadst stated it and
would make thee aghast at thyself in a twinkling by his smooth
reasoning and vivid auguries. Nay, if thou art to have thy way in
this, I wash my hands of it. We are as good as undone."
She turned away from him, but he followed her contritely.
"I submit," he said helplessly. "Advise me, but I--nay, ask me not to
endanger thee, Ta-user."
She shook her head and moved on. He advanced a step or two after her,
stopped, and wheeling about, resumed his place at the parapet.
After a little pause she was beside him again.
"Shall we forego this thing?" she asked.
"Nay," he answered quietly. "I can achieve it without help." She drew
a breath as if to speak but held her peace. They stood in silence side
by side for a while.
Presently she slipped between him and the parapet.
"Hast thou not called me wise in thy time?" she asked. "I believed
thee, then."
"I told thee a truth, but I might have added that thou art over-brave,"
he said, catching her drift.
"Listen, then, to me.
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