"But I have never acted thus hitherto. I have lived, dressed, and amused myself at my own expense, so as not to burden thy treasury. It is true that Thou hast paid my debts more than once, but that was only a part of my outlay."
"Never mind the debts!"
"In a similar condition," continued Tutmosis, "are some tens of noble youths of thy court. They maintained themselves so as to uphold the splendor of the government; but now, like myself, they live at thy expense, for they have nothing to pay with."
"Sometime I will reward them."
"Now," continued Tutmosis, "we take from thy treasury, for want is oppressing us; the nomarchs do the same. If they had means they would give feasts and receptions at their own cost; but as they have not the means they receive recompense. Wilt Thou call them rogues now?"
"I condemned them too harshly. Anger, like smoke, covered my eyes," said Ramses. "I am ashamed of my words; none the less I wish that neither courtiers, soldiers, nor working men should suffer injustice. But since my means are exhausted it will be necessary to borrow. Would a hundred talents suffice? What thinkest thou?"
"I think that no one would lend us a hundred talents," whispered
Tutmosis.
The viceroy looked at him haughtily.
"Is that a fit answer to the son of a pharaoh?" asked he.
"Dismiss me from thy presence," said Tutmosis, sadly, "but I have told the truth. At present no one will make us a loan, for there is no one to do so."