Death Comes as the End by Christie Agatha

Author:Christie, Agatha [Agatha, Christie,]
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
Published: 2010-06-23T04:00:00+00:00

Death Comes as the End

II

“What is all this?” Imhotep demanded as he came fussily into Esa's room a few minutes later. “Henet is deeply distressed. She came to me with the tears running down her face. Why nobody in the house can show that devoted woman the most ordinary kindness -”

Esa, unmoved, gave a cackle of laughter.

Imhotep went on:

“You have accused her, I understand, of stealing a box - a jewel box.”

“Is that what she told you? I did nothing of the sort. Here is the box. It seems it was found in Nofret's room.”

Imhotep took it from her.

“Ah, yes, it is one I gave her.” He opened it. “H'm, nothing much inside. Very careless of the embalmers not to have included it with the rest of her personal belongings. Considering the prices Ipi and Montu charge, one could at least expect no carelessness. Well, this all seems to me a great fuss about nothing -”

“Quite so.”

“I will give the box to Kait - no, to Renisenb. She always behaved with courtesy towards Nofret.”

He sighed.

“How impossible it seems for a man to get any peace. These women - endless tears or else quarrels and bickerings.”

“Ah, well, Imhotep, there is at least one woman less now!”

“Yes, indeed. My poor Yahmose! All the same, Esa - I feel that - er - it may be all for the best. Satipy bore healthy children, it is true, but she was in many ways a most unsatisfactory wife. Yahmose, of course, gave in to her far too much. Well, well, all that is over now. I must say that I have been much pleased with Yahmose's behavior of late. He seems much more self-reliant - less timid - and his judgment on several points has been excellent - quite excellent...”

“He was always a good, obedient boy.”

“Yes, yes - but inclined to be slow and somewhat afraid of responsibility.”

Esa said drily:

“Responsibility is a thing you have never allowed him to have!”

“Well, all that will be changed now. I am arranging a deed of association and partnership. It will be signed in a few days' time. I am associating with myself all my three sons.”

“Surely not Ipy?”

“He would be hurt to be left out. Such a dear, warm-hearted lad.”

“There is certainly nothing slow about him,” observed Esa.

“As you say. And Sobek too - I have been displeased with him in the past, but he has really turned over a new leaf of late. He no longer idles his time away, and he defers more to my judgment and to that of Yahmose.”

“This is indeed a hymn of praise,” said Esa. “Well, Imhotep, I must say that I think you are doing the right thing. It was bad policy to make your sons discontented. But I still think that Ipy is too young for what you propose. It is ridiculous to give a boy of that age a definite position. What hold will you have over him?”

“There is something in that, certainly.” Imhotep looked thoughtful.

Then he roused himself.

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