. In this way he climbed, exposed meanwhile to the
peril of breaking his neck, till he reached the top, where grew a crown
of great leaves and dates.

The prince was not alone when he saw these gymnastics; Jewish children
also were spectators. At first there was no trace of them. Then among
bushes and from beyond the wall curly heads and black gleaming eyes
appeared. Afterward, when they saw that the prince did not drive them
away, these children came out each from a hiding-place and approached
the tree gradually. The most daring among the girls picked up a
beautiful date which she brought to Ramses. One of the boys ate the
smallest date, and then the children began to eat and to give the
prince fruit. At first they brought him the best, then inferior dates,
finally some that were spoilt altogether.

The future ruler of the world fell to thinking, and said to himself,

"They crawl in at all points, and will treat me always in this way:
they will give the good as a bait, and what is spoiled out of
gratitude."

He rose and walked away gloomily; but the children of Israel rushed,
like a flock of birds, at the labor of the Egyptian, who high above
their heads was singing unmindful of his bones and of this, that he was
harvesting not for his own use.

Sarah's undiscovered disease, her frequent tears, her vanishing charms,
and above all the Jews, who, ceasing to hide, managed the place with
increasing tumult, disgusted Ramses to the utmost degree with that
beautiful comer. He sailed no more in a boat, he neither hunted nor
watched the date harvest, but wandered gloomily through the garden, or
looked from his roof at the palace. He would never go back to that
palace unless summoned, and now he thought of a trip to his lands near
the sea, in Lower Egypt.

In such a state of mind was he found by Tutmosis, who on a certain day
came in a ceremonial barge to the heir with a summons from the pharaoh.

"His holiness is returning from Thebes, and wishes the heir to go forth
and meet him."

The prince trembled, he grew pale and crimson, when he read the
gracious letter of his lord and ruler. He was so moved that he did not
notice his adjutant's new immense wig, which gave out fifteen different
perfumes, he did not see his tunic and mantle, more delicate than mist,
nor his sandals with gold rings as ornaments.

After some time Ramses recovered, and inquired without looking at
Tutmosis,

"Why hast Thou not been here for such