Читать книгу Death Comes as the End - Агата Кристи, Agatha Christie, Detection Club The - Страница 11

Imhotep listened to Sobek’s explanation of the sale of the timber in ominous silence. His face had grown very red and a small pulse was beating in his temple.

Sobek’s air of easy nonchalance wore a little thin. He had intended to carry things off with a high hand, but in the face of his father’s gathering frowns, he found himself stammering and hesitating.

Imhotep finally cut him short impatiently.

‘Yes, yes, yes—you thought that you knew more than I did—you departed from my instructions—it is always the same—unless I am here to see to everything …’ He sighed. ‘What would become of you boys without me I cannot imagine!’

Sobek went on doggedly:

‘There was a chance of making a much bigger profit—I took the risk. One cannot always be pettifogging and cautious!’

‘There is nothing cautious about you, Sobek! You are rash and much too bold and your judgement is always wrong.’

‘Do I ever have a chance to exercise my judgement?’

Imhotep said dryly:

‘You have done so this time—and against my express orders—’

‘Orders? Have I always got to take orders? I am a grown man.’

Losing control of his temper, Imhotep shouted:

‘Who feeds you, who clothes you? Who thinks of the future? Who has your welfare—the welfare of all of you—constantly in mind? When the river was low and we were threatened with famine, did I not arrange for food to be sent South to you? You are lucky to have such a father—who thinks of everything! And what do I ask in return? Only that you should work hard, do your best, and obey the instructions I send you—’

‘Yes,’ shouted Sobek. ‘We are to work for you like slaves—so that you can buy gold and jewels for your concubine!’

Imhotep advanced towards him, bristling with rage.

‘Insolent boy—to speak like that to your father. Be careful or I will say that this is no longer your home—and you can go elsewhere!’

‘And if you are not careful I will go! I have ideas, I tell you—good ideas—that would bring in wealth if I was not tied down by pettifogging caution and never allowed to act as I choose.’

‘Have you finished?’

Imhotep’s tone was ominous. Sobek, a trifle deflated, muttered angrily:

‘Yes—yes—I have no more to say—now.’

‘Then go and see after the cattle. This is no time for idling.’

Sobek turned and strode angrily away. Nofret was standing not far away and as he passed her she looked sideways at him and laughed. At her laugh the blood came up in Sobek’s face—he made an angry half step towards her. She stood quite still, looking at him out of contemptuous half-closed eyes.

Sobek muttered something and resumed his former direction. Nofret laughed again, then walked slowly on to where Imhotep was now turning his attention to Yahmose.

‘What possessed you to let Sobek act in that foolish fashion?’ he demanded irritably. ‘You should have prevented it! Don’t you know by now that he has no judgement in buying and selling? He thinks everything will turn out as he wants it to turn out.’

Yahmose said apologetically:

‘You do not realize my difficulties, father. You told me to entrust Sobek with the sale of the timber. It was necessary therefore that it should be left to him to use his judgement.’

‘Judgement? Judgement? He has no judgement! He is to do what I instruct him to do—and it is for you to see that he does exactly that.’

Yahmose flushed.

‘I? What authority have I?’

‘What authority? The authority I give you.’

‘But I have no real status. If I were legally associated with you—’

He broke off as Nofret came up. She was yawning and twisting a scarlet poppy in her hands.

‘Won’t you come to the little pavilion by the lake, Imhotep? It is cool there and there is fruit waiting for you and Keda beer. Surely you have finished giving your orders by now.’

‘In a minute, Nofret—in a minute.’

Nofret said in a soft, deep voice:

‘Come now. I want you to come now …’

Imhotep looked pleased and a little sheepish. Yahmose said quickly before his father could speak:

‘Let us just speak of this first. It is important. I want to ask you—’

Nofret spoke directly to Imhotep, turning her shoulder on Yahmose:

‘Can you not do what you want in your own house?’

Imhotep said sharply to Yahmose:

‘Another time, my son. Another time.’

He went with Nofret and Yahmose stood on the porch looking after them.

Satipy came out from the house and joined him.

‘Well,’ she demanded eagerly, ‘have you spoken to him? What did he say?’

Yahmose sighed.

‘Do not be so impatient, Satipy. The time was not—propitious.’

Satipy gave an angry exclamation.

‘Oh yes—that is what you would say! That is what you will always say. The truth is you are afraid of your father—you are as timid as a sheep—you bleat at him—you will not stand up to him like a man! Do you not recall the things you promised me? I tell you I am the better man of us two! You promise—you say: “I will ask my father—at once—the very first day.” And what happens—’

Satipy paused—for breath, not because she had finished—but Yahmose cut in mildly:

‘You are wrong, Satipy. I began to speak—but we were interrupted.’

‘Interrupted? By whom?’

‘By Nofret.’

‘Nofret! That woman! Your father should not let his concubine interrupt when he is speaking of business to his eldest son. Women should not concern themselves with business.’

Possibly Yahmose wished that Satipy herself would live up to the maxim she was enunciating so glibly, but he was given no opportunity to speak. His wife swept on:

‘Your father should have made that clear to her at once.’

‘My father,’ said Yahmose drily, ‘showed no signs of displeasure.’

‘It is disgraceful,’ Satipy declared. ‘Your father is completely bewitched by her. He lets her say and do as she pleases.’

Yahmose said thoughtfully:

‘She is very beautiful …’

Satipy snorted.

‘Oh, she has looks of a kind. But no manners! No upbringing! She does not care how rude she is to all of us.’

‘Perhaps you are rude to her?’

‘I am the soul of politeness. Kait and I treat her with every courtesy. Oh, she shall have nothing of which to go complaining to your father. We can wait our time, Kait and I.’

Yahmose looked up sharply.

‘How do you mean—wait your time?’

Satipy laughed meaningfully as she moved away.

‘My meaning is woman’s meaning—you would not understand. We have our ways—and our weapons! Nofret would do well to moderate her insolence. What does a woman’s life come to in the end, after all? It is spent in the back of the house—amongst the other women.’

There was a peculiar significance in Satipy’s tone. She added:

‘Your father will not always be here … He will go away again to his estates in the North. And then—we shall see.’

‘Satipy—’

Satipy laughed—a hard-sounding, high laugh, and went back into the house.

By the lake the children were running about and playing. Yahmose’s two boys were fine, handsome little fellows, looking more like Satipy than like their father. Then there were Sobek’s three—the youngest a mere toddling baby. And there was Teti, a grave, handsome child of four years old.

They laughed and shouted, threw balls—occasionally a dispute broke out and a childish wail of anger rose high and shrill.

Sitting sipping his beer, with Nofret beside him, Imhotep murmured: ‘How fond children are of playing by water. It was always so, I remember. But, by Hathor, what a noise they make!’

Nofret said quickly:

‘Yes—and it could be so peaceful … Why do you not tell them to go away whilst you are here? After all when the master of the house wants relaxation a proper respect should be shown. Don’t you agree?’

‘I—well—’ Imhotep hesitated. The idea was new to him but pleasing. ‘I do not really mind them,’ he finished, doubtfully.

He added rather weakly:

‘They are accustomed to play here always as they please.’

‘When you are away, yes,’ said Nofret quickly. ‘But I think, Imhotep, considering all that you do for your family, they should show more sense of your dignity—of your importance. You are too gentle—too easygoing.’

Imhotep sighed placidly.

‘It has always been my failing. I never insist on the outward forms.’

‘And therefore these women, your son’s wives, take advantage of your kindness. It should be understood that when you come here for repose, there must be silence and tranquillity. See, I will go and tell Kait to take her children away and the others too. Then you shall have peace and contentment here.’

‘You are a thoughtful girl, Nofret—yes, a good girl. You are always thinking of my comfort.’

Nofret murmured: ‘Your pleasure is mine.’

She got up and went to where Kait was kneeling by the water playing with a little model barge which her second child, a rather spoilt-looking-boy, was trying to float.

Nofret said curtly:

‘Will you take the children away, Kait?’

Kait stared up at her uncomprehendingly.

‘Away? What do you mean? This is where they always play.’

‘Not today. Imhotep wants peace. These children of yours are noisy.’

Colour flamed into Kait’s heavy face.

‘You should mend your ways of speech, Nofret! Imhotep likes to see his sons’ children playing here. He has said so.’

‘Not today,’ said Nofret. ‘He has sent me to tell you to take the whole noisy brood into the house, so that he can sit in peace—with me.’

‘With you …’ Kait stopped abruptly in what she had been about to say. Then she got up and walked to where Imhotep was half-sitting, half-lying. Nofret followed her.

Kait spoke without circumlocution.

‘Your concubine says I am to take the children away from here? Why? What are they doing that is wrong? For what reason should they be banished?’

‘I should have thought the wish of the master of the house was enough,’ said Nofret softly.

‘Exactly—exactly,’ said Imhotep pettishly. ‘Why should I have to give reasons? Whose house is this?’

‘I suppose it is she who wants them away.’ Kait turned and looked Nofret up and down.

‘Nofret thinks of my comfort—of my enjoyment,’ said Imhotep. ‘No one else in this house ever considers it—except perhaps poor Henet.’

‘So the children are not to play here any more?’

‘Not when I have come here to rest.’

Kait’s anger flamed forth suddenly:

‘Why do you let this woman turn you against your own blood? Why should she come and interfere with the ways of the house? With what has always been done.’

Imhotep suddenly began to shout. He felt a need to vindicate himself.

‘It is I who say what is to be done here—not you! You are all in league to do as you choose—to arrange everything to suit yourselves. And when I, the master of the house, come home, no proper attention is paid to my wishes. But I am master here, let me tell you! I am constantly planning and working for your welfare—but am I given gratitude, are my wishes respected? No. First, Sobek is insolent and disrespectful, and now you, Kait, try to browbeat me! What am I supporting you all for? Take care—or I shall cease to support you. Sobek talks of going—then let him go and take you and your children with him.’

For a moment Kait stood perfectly still. There was no expression at all on her heavy, rather vacant face. Then she said in a voice from which all emotion had been eliminated:

‘I will take the children into the house …’

She moved a step or two, pausing by Nofret. In a low voice Kait said:

‘This is your doing, Nofret. I shall not forget. No, I shall not forget …’