After the departure of his mother he summoned Tutmosis.
"Tomorrow," said the pharaoh, "my troops will occupy the temples. But tell the commanders of regiments, let them know that it is my will, that the holy places must be inviolate, and that no one is to raise a hand on any priest in Egypt."
"Even on Mefres and Herhor?" inquired Tutmosis.
"Even on them. They will be punished enough when they are put out of their present positions; they will live in learned temples to pray and investigate wisdom without hindrance."
"It will be as Thou commandest, holiness though."
Ramses raised his finger in sign that he did not wish to hear arguments. And then, to change the conversation, he said, with a smile,
"Dost Thou remember, Tutmosis, the maneuvers at Pi-Bailos? Two years have passed. When I was angry then at the insolence and greed of the priests, couldst Thou think that I should reckon with them so early? But poor Sarah and my little son. How beautiful he was!"
Two tears rolled down the pharaoh's cheeks.
"Indeed, if I were not a son of the gods, who are magnanimous and merciful, my enemies would pass through grievous hours to-morrow. How many humiliations have they put on me! How often have my eyes grown dark from weeping!"