"Tape does not love Meneptah as Memphis loves him," Kenkenes answered. "Hast thou not this moment heard Memphis pine for him? Tape would not have spoken thus. She would have said: 'Would that the king were here that I might ask a boon of him.' Memphis is the cradle of kings; Tape, their tomb. Memphis is full of reverence for the Pharaohs; Tape, of pride; Memphis of loyalty; Tape, of boon-craving. Meneptah returns to the bosom of his mother when he returns to Memphis."
"But he will not remain here long," Nechutes went on. "He goes to
Tanis to be near the scene of the Israelitish unrest."
"Alas, Ta-meri, and wilt thou droop again?" Kenkenes asked.
"I fear," she assented with a little sigh. Then, after a pause, she asked: "Does the murket follow the court?"
Kenkenes shook his head. "Not when the Pharaoh travels. But should he depart permanently from Memphis my father would go. Many of the court returning hither will not proceed to Tanis. The city will not be so desolate then as now."
"Nay, but I am glad," she said. "Those who remain will suffice."
"Of a truth?" Nechutes demanded angrily.
"Have I not said?" she replied.
Nechutes rose slowly and made his way to a chair some distance away from her. Kenkenes immediately guessed why the cup-bearer was hurt, but the lady was innocent. He knew that he had but to speak to restore Nechutes to favor.
Meanwhile the lady, amazed and deeply offended at the desertion of the cup-bearer, had turned her back on him. Kenkenes arose.