But the leader interrupted quickly, to the great dissatisfaction of the courtiers,
"I hear myself what my lord says. Only the heir to the throne could be his mouth when he turns to me; not thou, chief scribe."
The scribe looked with consternation at the daring leader, but the pharaoh answered,
"My faithful Nitager speaks truth."
The minister of war bowed.
Now the judge announced to all present to the priests, the officials, and the guards that they might go to the palace courtyard; and he himself, bowing to the throne, was the first to go thither. In the hall remained only the pharaoh, Herhor, and the two leaders.
"Incline thy ears, O sovereign, and listen to complaints," began Nitager. "This morning the official priest, who came at thy command to anoint my hair, told me that in going to thee I was to leave my sandals in the entrance hall. Meanwhile it is known, not only in Upper and Lower Egypt, but in the Hittite country, Libya, Phoenicia, and the land of Punt, that twenty years ago Thou didst give me the right to stand before thee in sandals."
"Thou speakest truth," said the pharaoh. "Various disorders have crept into the court ceremonial."
"Only give command, O king, and my veterans will produce order immediately," added Nitager.
At a sign given by the minister of war, a number of officials ran in: one brought sandals and put them on Nitager's feet; others put down costly stools for the minister and leaders.