The Hippopotamus Pool - Elizabeth Peters [94]
The wind brought a touch of colour to her face and blew her curls around her face. There were threads of silver among the gold now, but it shone as bright as ever.
‘We will stay as long as you and Radcliffe need us, Amelia. Not until his message came did I fully realize that I am not the only one to suffer a loss, and that others have borne it with greater courage and faith. Can you forgive me for behaving so badly?’
‘My dearest girl!’ We embraced. When I released her I saw that there were tears in her eyes, but her smile was her old sweet smile.
‘I had ample time during our long journey,’ she resumed, ‘to consider my weakness and compare it with the fortitude of others. I remembered the innumerable times you had faced danger to those you love – those long days last winter, when you believed Radcliffe was dead – or worse – the occasions, including the present one, when you feared for Ramses’ life –’
‘Ah well, where Ramses is concerned, one becomes used to it,’ I replied, feeling it was time to lighten the mood. ‘I claim no credit for fortitude with regard to Ramses. Paralyzed numbness would be a more accurate description.’
‘I know you too well to be misled by your modesty, dear Amelia.’
‘Hmmm. That word, I believe, is not one that has often been applied to me. But let us forget the sorrows of the past in the joys of the present. Look, Evelyn. Your artist’s eye must appreciate the beauty of the view – the gold of the cliffs, the emerald green of the cultivation. And there, just ahead and to the right – do you recognize a familiar shape?’
‘The dear old Philae!’ Evelyn clasped her hands. ‘But I must call her the Amelia now. Radcliffe told us he intended to purchase her for you; in my selfish grief I failed to respond as he no doubt hoped I would, but what happy memories the sight of her recalls! She was not a large craft – only four staterooms, as I recall. You said you had employed a governess for the children . . .’
I burst out laughing. ‘My dear Evelyn, don’t be so devious. I thought you would be happier at the hotel than in those cramped quarters on board, but I would evict ten governesses for you and Walter if you would prefer that arrangement. We will send Miss Marmaduke to the hotel.’
I accepted her thanks and protestations with a modest smile. In fact, I had already booked a room for Gertrude at the Luxor, and told her to begin packing.
When we disembarked, Selim was waiting with the horses, and I realized that Emerson had intended all along to return at once to the excavation. By the time we arrived, the temperature had begun to rise, and I studied Walter’s flushed face and the stiffness with which he dismounted with some concern. I must make certain he did not overdo or he would be sore and sunburned for days.
Tactfully I urged him and Evelyn towards the folding chairs and tables I had caused to be set up under an awning of sailcloth. Emerson had fussed at me for ‘wasting time’ with this, but unnecessary discomfort is a form of martyrdom with which I have no sympathy. Efficiency was also a consideration. There was no other shade when the sun was at the zenith, and it was very difficult to read Emerson’s notes when he used a rock or the back of one of the men as a desk.
Gertrude was seated at the table, puzzling over the most recent notes. (Emerson’s handwriting, even when he is not using a rock as a desk, is difficult to decipher.) Both of the cats were stretched out in the sun nearby, ostentatiously ignoring Gertrude. There is no creature better at delicate rudeness than a cat, and Bastet especially had gone out of her way to be rude to Gertrude, despite the lady’s efforts to woo her with scraps of food and inappropriate compliments. I had warned Gertrude not to address Bastet as ‘pretty puss,’ and ‘sweet darling,’ but she went on doing it, to Bastet’s deep disgust. No one, not even Gertrude, would have