"Chief," said Eunana, "yesterday I saw a man running in the garden naked, and crying in an unearthly voice. He was brought in to me, and, chief slay me!"
Eunana fell again at the feet of Tutmosis.
"That naked man that I cannot tell."
"Who was he?" inquired the terrified Tutmosis.
"I will not tell!" groaned Eunana. "I took off my mantle and covered sacred nakedness. I wanted to take him to the palace but I the lord commanded me to stay where I was, and be silent be silent!"
"Whither did he go?"
"I know not. I did not look, and I did not let the warriors look. He vanished somewhere among the bushes of the garden. I told my men not to see anything, not to hear anything; that if any man saw or heard anything he would be strangled that instant."
Tutmosis had succeeded in mastering himself.
"I know nothing," said he, coldly, "and understand nothing of what Thou hast said to me. But remember, one thing: I myself ran naked once when I had drunk too much wine, and I gave a good reward to those who failed to see me. Common people, Eunana, and laborers always go naked; great persons only when it may please them. And if the wish should come to me or any of the officials to stand head downward, a wise and pious officer should not wonder at my action."
"I understand," replied Eunana, looking into the eyes of his chief quickly. "And not only will I repeat that to my warriors, but I will even go naked this night through the garden to let them know that superiors have the right to do whatever pleases them."