Hebrew woman destroyed. I have spoken; now I act." Pharaoh rose from
his chair, and departed more quickly than he had come. Amram sought
to find his way back, but could only discover one piece of papyrus.
Then he remained standing and feared much, for he could not find his
way.

The sun had risen, and there was no more music in the forest of
pillars, but silence. But as Amram listened he began to be aware of
that compressed stillness which emanates from a listener, or from
children who do something forbidden and do not wish to be discovered.
He felt that someone was near who wished to be concealed, but who
still kept his thoughts directed towards him. In order to satisfy
himself Amram went in the direction where the silence seemed to be
densest. And lo! behind a pillar stood Phater. He did not show a sign
of embarrassment, but only held out his open hand, in which lay all
the pieces of papyrus, which Amram had strewed as he went.

"You must not strew pieces of papyrus on the ground," said Phater
with an inscrutable smile. "Yes--I am not angry, I only wish you
well. For now you will follow me, and not return to your work, which
was only a trap set for your life. You must return to your house,
and take care that your new-born child is not killed. You see that
Reuben-Phater is a true Israelite, although you would not believe
him."

Amram followed him out of the temple, and went home.

* * * * *

Jochebed went about in Pharaoh's garden watering cucumbers; she went