"The meal was ready," sighed the cook. "I shall have to go to work again
if he does not remain all night."

"How should he?" asked the steward. "He is with the princess Bent-
Anat."

"And my mistress," added the dwarf.

"What will they say to each other," laughed gardener; "your chief litter-
bearer declared that yesterday on the way to the City of the Dead they
did not speak a word to each other."

"Can you blame the lord if he is angry with the lady who was betrothed to
him, and then was wed to another? When I think of the moment when he
learnt Nefert's breach of faith I turn hot and cold."

"Care the less for that," sneered the dwarf, "since you must be hot in
summer and cold in winter."

"It is not evening all day," cried the head groom. "Paaker never forgets
an injury, and we shall live to see him pay Mena--high as he is--for the
affront he has offered him.

"My lady Katuti," interrupted Nemu, "stores up the arrears of her son-in-
law."

Besides, she has long wished to renew the old friendship with your house,
and the Regent too preaches peace. Give me a piece of bread, steward.
I am hungry!"