“Because till to day I have never begged nor borrowed,” said the paraschites, “and I will not begin in my old age. Life for life. But what I have done this day not Rameses with all his treasure could repay.”
Nebsecht looked down, and knew not how to answer the old man.
His wife now came out; she set a bowl of lentils that she had hastily warmed before the two men, with radishes and onions,
[Radishes, onions, and garlic were the hors-d’oeuvre of an Egyptian
dinner. 1600 talents worth were consumed, according to Herodotus.
during the building of the pyramid of Cheops—L360,000 (in 1881.)]
then she helped Uarda, who did not need to be carried, into the house, and invited Nebsecht to share their meal. He accepted her invitation, for he had eaten nothing since the previous evening.
When the old woman had once more disappeared indoors, he asked the paraschites:
“Whose heart is it that you have brought me, and how did it come into your hands?”
“Tell me first,” said the other, “why thou hast laid such a heavy sin upon my soul?”
“Because I want to investigate the structure of the human heart,” said Nebsecht, “so that, when I meet with diseased hearts, I may be able to cure them.”
The paraschites looked for a long time at the ground in silence; then he said: