Tutmosis shook his head.
"Thou art greatly mistaken," answered he, "so much mistaken that I am terrified. Dost Thou not really understand the causes of the disfavor? Every enlightened Egyptian knows them."
"I know nothing."
"So much the worse," said the anxious Tutmosis. "Thou dost not know, then, that warriors, since the maneuvers, especially Greek warriors, drink thy health in every dramshop."
"They got money to do so."
"True; but not to cry out, with all the voice that is in them, that
when Thou shalt succeed to his holiness may he live through eternity!
Thou wilt begin a great war, after which there will be changes in
Egypt."
"What changes? And who is the man who during the life of the pharaoh may dare to speak of the plans of his successor?"
Now the prince grew gloomy.
"That is one thing, but I will tell thee another," said, Tutmosis, "for misfortunes, like hyenas, never come singly. Dost Thou know that the lowest people sing songs about thee, sing how Thou didst free the attackers from prison, and what is worse, they repeat again, that, when Thou shalt succeed his holiness, rents will be abolished. It must be added that when common people speak of injustice and rents, disturbances follow; and either a foreign enemy attacks our weakened state, or Egypt is divided into as many parts as there are nomarchs. Finally, judge for thyself, is it proper that any man's name should be mentioned oftener than the pharaoh's, and that any man should stand between the people and our lord? If Thou permit, I will tell how priests look on this matter."
"Of course, speak."