Paaker’s brow clouded, and while he paused in front of his mother he said with all the peculiar harshness of his voice: 

“He shall pine away in the desert, and the hyaenas of the North shall tear his unburied corpse.”

At these words Setchem covered her face with her veil, and clasped her hands tightly over the amulets hanging round her neck.  Then she said softly: 

“How terrible you can be!  I know well that you hate the charioteer, for I have seen the seven arrows over your couch over which is written ’Death to Mena.’

“That is a Syrian charm which a man turns against any one whom he desires to destroy.  How black you look!  Yes, it is a charm that is hateful to the Gods, and that gives the evil one power over him that uses it.  Leave it to them to punish the criminal, for Osiris withdraws his favor from those who choose the fiend for their ally.”

“My sacrifices,” replied Paaker, “secure me the favor of the Gods; but Mena behaved to me like a vile robber, and I only return to him the evil that belongs to him.  Enough of this! and if you love me, never again utter the name of my enemy before me.  I have forgiven Nefert and her mother—­that may satisfy you.”

Setchem shook her head, and said:  “What will it lead to!  The war cannot last for ever, and if Mena returns the reconciliation of to-day will turn to all the more bitter enmity.  I see only one remedy.  Follow my advice, and let me find you a wife worthy of you.”

“Not now!” exclaimed Paaker impatiently.  “In a few days I must go again into the enemy’s country, and do not wish to leave my wife, like Mena, to lead the life of a widow during my existence.  Why urge it? my brother’s wife and children are with you—­that might satisfy you.”

“The Gods know how I love them,” answered Setchem; “but your brother Horns is the younger, and you the elder, to whom the inheritance belongs.  Your little niece is a delightful plaything, but in your son I should see at once the future stay of our race, the future head of the family; brought up to my mind and your father’s; for all is sacred to me that my dead husband wished.  He rejoiced in your early betrothal to Nefert, and hoped that a son of his eldest son should continue the race of Assa.”

“It shall be by no fault of mine that any wish of his remains unfulfilled.  The stars are high, mother; sleep well, and if to-morrow you visit Nefert and your sister, say to them that the doors of my house are open to them.  But stay!  Katuti’s steward has offered to sell a herd of cattle to ours, although the stock on Mena’s land can be but small.  What does this mean?”

“You know my sister,” replied Setchem.  “She manages Mena’s possessions, has many requirements, tries to vie with the greatest in splendor, sees the governor often in her house, her son is no doubt extravagant—­and so the most necessary things may often be wanting.”