Mothers are everywhere she-apes, who with pleasure let themselves be tormented to death by their children, who repay them badly enough, and the wives generally open their ears wide if any one can tell them of some misbehavior of their husbands! But that is not the way with your mistress." The old woman looked thoughtful, and then she continued: "In point of fact this can be easily explained, and is not at all more extraordinary than it is that those tired girls should sit yawning.

You told me once that it was a pretty sight to see the mother and daughter side by side in their chariot when they go to a festival or the Panegyrai; Katuti, you said, took care that the colors of their dresses and the flowers in their hair should harmonize.

For which of them is the dress first chosen on such occasions ?" "Always for the lady Katuti, who never wears any but certain colors," replied Nemu quickly.
"You see," said the witch laughing, "Indeed it must be so.

That mother always thinks of herself first, and of the objects she wishes to gain; but they hang high, and she treads down everything that is in her way--even her own child--to reach them.

She will contrive that Paaker shall be the ruin of Mena, as sure as I have ears to hear with, for that woman is capable of playing any tricks with her daughter, and would marry her to that lame dog yonder if it would advance her ambitious schemes." "But Nefert!" said Nemu.