"'If Thou art as skilled in reckoning as in writing, reckon for me the following problem: If they give me four hen eggs for one partridge, how many hen eggs should they give me for seven partridges?'
"The scribe gathered pebbles, placed them in various rows, and before the sun had set, he answered that they should give twenty-eight eggs for seven partridges.
"The almighty Amon smiled when be saw before him a sage of such uncommon proportions, and answered,
"'I recognize that Thou hast spoken truth concerning thy wisdom. If Thou shalt appear equally enduring in virtue I will so arrange that Thou shalt be happy to the end of life, and after death thy sons shall place thy shade in a beautiful tomb. But now tell me: what wealth dost Thou wish, wealth which Thou wouldst not merely refrain from wasting, but wouldst increase?'
"The scribe fell to the feet of the generous deity, and answered,
"'If I had even this hut and three measures of land, I should be wealthy.'
"'Well,' said the god, 'but first look around and see if it would suffice thee.'
"He led him into the hut, and said,
"'Thou hast four caps and skirts, two mantles for bad weather, and two pairs of sandals. Here is a fire, here a bench on which Thou mayst sleep, a mortar for crushing wheat, and a pan for dough.'
"'But what is this?' asked the scribe, pointing to a certain figure covered with linen.