[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:

"Art thou speaking the truth?"

"Yes," replied the leech with convincing emphasis. "I am glad," said the
old man, "for thou givest help to the poor."

"As willingly as to the rich!" exclaimed Nebsecht. "But tell me now