From that day feasts began again. The prince, as if ashamed to meet the army, was not present at drills. Still, his palace was swarming with nobles, officers, jugglers, and singers, while at night great orgies took place, at which the sound of harps mingled with the drunken shouts of guests and the spasmodic laughter of women.
Ramses invited Kama to one of these feasts, but she refused.
The prince was offended. Seeing this, Tutmosis said,
"They have told me, lord, that Sarah has lost thy favor."
"Do not mention that Jewess to me," replied Ramses. "But dost Thou know what she did with my son?"
"I know; but that, it seems to me, was not her fault. I heard in Memphis that thy worthy mother and the worthy minister Herhor made thy son a Jew, so that he might rule over Israelites sometime."
"But the Israelites have no king, only priests and judges," interrupted the prince.
"They have not, but they wish to have. They, too, are disgusted with priestly rule."
The heir waved his hand contemptuously.
"A charioteer of his holiness means more than any king, especially any king of the Israelites, who as yet have no kingdom."