"Others have swayed me, thou modest man."
"In that hour when thou wast swayed, O Meneptah, another than thyself ruled over Egypt."
Meneptah looked in amazement at his scribe. He had never considered the influence of Har-hat in that light, but, by the gods, it seemed strangely correct. He straightened himself.
"Be thou assured, Hotep, that I weigh right well whatever counsel mine advisers offer me before I indorse it."
Hotep bowed. "That I know. And for that reason do I hesitate to give thee my little thoughts. It would hurt the man in me to see them thrust aside."
"Thou evadest," Meneptah contended smiling.
"Wherefore?"
"Because, O King, I should advise against thine inclinations."
"Wherefore?" Meneptah demanded again, this time with some asperity.
"We hold the Hebrews," was the undisturbed reply; "through destruction and plague we have held them. They boast the calamities as sendings from their God. Egypt's afflictions multiply; every resort hath failed us. One is left—to free the slaves and test their boast."