THE EGYPTIAN BONDAGE


The old worker in ebony and cabinet-maker, Amram, dwelt by the
river-side in a clay-hut which was covered with palm-leaves. There
he lived with his wife and three children. He was yellow in
complexion and wore a long beard. Skilled in his trade of carving
ebony and hard wood, he attended at Pharaoh's court, and accordingly
also worked in the temples. One morning in midsummer, just before
sunrise, he got out of bed, placed his implements in a bag, and
stepped out of his hut. He remained standing on the threshold for
a moment, and, turning to the east, uttered a low prayer. Then
he began to walk between fishermen's huts, following the black
broken bank of the river, where herons and doves were resting after
their morning meal.

His neighbour, the fisherman, Nepht, was overhauling his nets, and
placing carp, grayling, and sheat-fish in the different partitions
of his boat.

Amram greeted him, and wished to say some words in token of
friendliness.

"Has the Nile ceased to rise?" he asked.

"It remains standing at ten yards' height. That means starvation!"

"Do you know why it cannot rise higher than fifteen yards, Nepht?"