"Tell me, holy father," said he, "unless it belongs to the great secrets, what is the real difference between burning the dead and the making of mummies? for though I have heard something at school I do not understand clearly this question, to which the Greeks attach such importance."
"We attach far more, the greatest importance to this question," replied Mentezufis. "To this our cities of the dead testify; they occupy a whole region in the western desert. The pyramids testify to it also; they are the tombs of the pharaohs of the ancient kingdom, and the immense tombs which are cut in cliffs for the rulers of our period.
"Burial and the tomb are of great importance the very greatest human importance. For while we live in bodily form fifty or a hundred years, our shades endure tens of thousands till they are perfectly purified.
"The Assyrian barbarians laugh at us, saying that we give more to the dead than the living; but they would weep over their own lack of care for the dead did they know the mystery of death and the tomb as do the priests of Egypt."
The prince started up.
"Thou dost terrify me," said he. "Dost forget that among the dead there are two beings dear to me, and these are not buried according to Egyptian ritual."
"On the contrary. Just now men are embalming them. Both Sarah and thy son will have everything which may profit them in the long journey."
"Will they?" asked Ramses, as if comforted.
"I guarantee," answered Mentezufis, "that everything will be done which is needed, and should this earthly life ever be unpleasant to thee Thou wilt find them happy in the other."
On hearing this Ramses was greatly affected.