A bad omen." "And Apis too is dead!" The haruspex threw up his arms in lamentation.
"His Divine spirit has returned to God," replied Ameni.

"Now we have much to do.

Before all things we must prove ourselves equal to those in Thebes over there, and win the people over to our side.

The panegyric prepared by us for to-morrow must offer some great novelty.

The Regent Ani grants us a rich contribution, and--" "And," interrupted Septah, "our thaumaturgists understand things very differently from those of the house of Anion, who feast while we practise." Ameni nodded assent, and said with a smile: "Also we are more indispensable than they to the people.