f the priesthood; this
filled him with dislike and anger. Hence he did not hurry toward the
secrets hidden in temples. He had time yet for fasting and devotional
exercises; so he took part all the more zealously in feasts which were
given in his honor.

Tutmosis, a master in every amusement, had just returned, and brought
the prince pleasant news from Sarah. She was in good health and looked
well, which concerned Ramses less at that time. But the priests gave
such a horoscope to the coming child that the prince was delighted.

They assured him that the child would be a son, greatly gifted by the
gods, and if his father loved him he would during life obtain high
honor.

The prince laughed at the second part of this prediction. "Their wisdom
is wonderful," said he to Tutmosis. "They know that it will be a son,
while I, its father, do not know; and they doubt whether I shall love
it, though it is easy to divine that I shall love the child even should
it be a daughter. And as to honor for it, let them be at rest; I will
occupy myself with that question."

In the month Pachons (January, February) the heir passed through the
province of Ka, where he was received by the nomarch Sofra. The city of
Anu lay about seven hours of a foot journey from Atribis, but the
prince was three days on this journey. At thought of the fasts and
prayers which were awaiting him during initiation into temple secrets,
Ramses felt a growing wish for amusements. His retinue divined this;
hence pleasure followed pleasure.

Again, on the road over which he traveled to Atribis, appeared throngs
of people with shouts, flowers, and music. The enthusiasm reached its
height at the city. It even happened that a certain gigantic laborer
threw himself under the chariot of the viceroy. But when Ramses held in
the horses, a number of young women stepped forth from the crowd and
wreathed the whole chariot with flowers.

"Still they love me!" thought the prince.

In the province of Ka he did not ask the nomarch about the income of
the pharaoh, he did not visit factories, he did not command to read
reports to him; he knew that he would understand nothing, so he
deferred those occupations till the time of his initiation. But once,
when he saw that the temple of the god Sebak stood on a lofty eminence,
he desired to ascend the pylon and examine the surrounding country.

The worthy Sofra accomplished at once the will of the heir, who, when
he found himself o