We elder ones clasped each other's hands, and I never felt happier than in that moment, and afterwards by my mother's grave." Nefert raised her eyes that were wet with tears.
"With such a father it must be easy to be good," she said.
"Did your mother never speak good words that went to your heart on the morning of this festival ?" asked Bent-Anat.
Nefert colored, and answered: "We were always late in dressing, and then had to hurry to be at the temple in time." "Then let me be your mother to-day," cried the princess, "and yours too, Rameri.

Do you not remember how my father offered forgiveness to the officers of the court, and to all the servants, and how he enjoined us to root out every grudge from our hearts on this day?
'Only stainless garments,' he said, 'befit this feast; only hearts without spot.' So, brother, I will not hear an evil word about Ameni, who is most likely forced to be severe by the law; my father will enquire into it all and decide.

My heart is so full, it must overflow.

Come, Nefert, give me a kiss, and you too, Rameri.

Now I will go into my little temple, in which the images of our ancestors stand, and think of my mother and the blessed spirits of those loved ones to whom I may not sacrifice to-day." "I will go with you," said Rameri.
"You, Nefert--stay here," said Bent-Anat, "and cut as many flowers as you like; take the best and finest, and make a wreath, and when it is ready we will send a messenger across to lay it, with other gifts, on the grave of your Mena's mother." When, half-an-hour later, the brother and sister returned to the young wife, two graceful garlands hung in Nefert's bands, one for the grave of the dead queen, and one for Mena's mother.
"I will carry over the wreaths, and lay them in the tombs," cried the prince.
"Ani thought it would be better that we should not show ourselves to the people," said his sister.