"
"Ye hear," Kenkenes said to the nobles. Then he faced Har-hat. The
fan-bearer's countenance showed a remarkable increase of temper, but
there was no sign of apprehension or discomfiture upon it.
"Thou hast beheld the grace of thy king under question," Kenkenes said
calmly. "Therefore thou art denied the plea that submission to the
same thing will belittle thee. Thy best defense is patience and prompt
answer."
"Perchance the king will recall his graceful testimony," Har-hat
replied with heat, "when he learns he hath been entangled in the guilty
pursuit of a miscreant after--"
Kenkenes stopped him with a menacing gesture.
"Say it not; nor tempt me further! Thou speakest of a quarrel between
thee and me, and of that there may be more hereafter. Now, thou art to
answer to mine impeachment of thee as an offender against the Pharaoh."
Har-hat received the declaration with a wrathful exclamation.
"Thou! Thou to accuse me! I to plead before thee! By the gods, the
limit is reached. The ranks of Egypt have been juggled, the law of
deference reversed! A noble to bow to an artisan! Age to give account
of itself to green youth!"
"And thou pratest of law! The benefits of law are for him who obeys
it; the reverence of youth is for the honorable old.
Pages:
631
632
633
634
635
636
637
638
639
640
641
642
643
644
645
646
647
648
649
650
651
652
653
654
655