Death Comes as End - Agatha Christie [41]
Henet burst into a shrill clamour of protestations and exclamations. Esa closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair.
‘I don’t suppose for a moment you’d ever admit you did such a thing. I’m not expecting you to.’
‘Why should I? That’s what I ask you–why should I?’
‘I’ve not the least idea,’ said Esa. ‘You do a lot of things, Henet, for which I’ve never been able to find a satisfactory reason.’
‘I suppose you think I was trying to make her bribe me to silence. I swear by the Nine Gods of the Ennead–’
‘Do not trouble the Gods. You’re honest enough, Henet–as honesty goes. And it may be that you knew nothing about how Nofret came to her death. But you know most things that go on in this house. And if I were going to do any swearing myself, I’d swear that you put this box in Nofret’s room yourself–though why I can’t imagine. But there’s some reason behind it…You can deceive Imhotep with your tricks, but you can’t deceive me. And don’t whine! I’m an old woman and I cannot stand people whining. Go and whine to Imhotep. He seems to like it, though Ra alone knows why!’
‘I will take the box to Imhotep and tell him–’
‘I’ll hand the box to him myself. Be off with you, Henet, and stop spreading these silly superstitious tales. The house is a more peaceful place without Satipy. Nofret dead has done more for us than Nofret living. But now that the debt is paid, let everyone return to their everyday tasks.’
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 behaviour of late. He seems much more self-reliant–less timid–and his judgement 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, warmhearted 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 judgement 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