"With the consent or without the consent of the supreme council of priests," added Mefres. "When a boat is overturned there is no time to discuss with the oarsmen."
They parted in a gloomy state of mind. That same day in the evening the
Pharaoh summoned them.
They came at the appointed time, each high priest separately. Each made a profound obeisance to his lord, and each stood in a separate corner without looking at the other.
"Have they quarreled?" thought Ramses? "No harm in that!"
A moment later the holy Sem and the prophet Pentuer came in. Then Ramses sat on an elevation, indicated to the priests stools in front of him, and said,
"Holy fathers! I have not summoned you thus far to counsel because all my orders related to military questions exclusively."
"Thou hadst the right, holiness, not to call us," put in Herhor.
"I have done what I was able in such a short time to strengthen the defensive power of the state. I have formed two new schools for officers and I have restored five regiments."
"Thou hadst the right, lord," answered Mefres.
"Of other military reforms I do not speak, since those questions do not concern you, holy people."