"Into the palace to-morrow."
"Have you gone crazy, my boy? Where am I to get a permit for you with the night coming on?"
"Uncle dear, you can do anything, you know everybody, you have influence. Do get it for me, please do!" Issachar entreated him as though it were a matter of life and death.
"What do you want it for?" Ahiram asked, looking at him attentively.
"To see the king!"
"But you have seen him already."
"Only from a distance. To-morrow is the day of petitions, everybody will be allowed to go right up to the throne. I should see him quite near, face to face. I like him very much. Joy of the Sun, Joy of the Sun, to see him is a joy." Issachar said ecstatically.
"No, you shall not have a pass," Ahiram said decidedly, shaking his head. "God only knows what is in your mind, you might get me into trouble...."
Issachar took a purse from his bosom and producing from it a two-inch sacred scarabee, Kheper, made of beautiful Sinai lapis-lazuli, gave it Ahiram.
The old man seized it greedily, weighed it on his palm and scrutinized it for a few minutes.