CHAPTER IX 

THE SMITING OF AMON 

That evening I sat ill at ease in my work-chamber in Seti's palace, making pretence to write, I who felt that great evils threatened my lord the Prince, and knew not what to do to turn them from him. The door opened, and old Pambasa the chamberlain appeared and addressed me by my new titles, saying that the Hebrew lady Merapi, who had been my nurse in sickness, wished to speak with me. Presently she came and stood before me. 

"Scribe Ana," she said, "I have but just seen my uncle Jabez, who has come, or been sent, with a message to me," and she hesitated. 

"Why was he sent, Lady? To bring you news of Laban?" 

"Not so. Laban has fled away and none know where he is, and Jabez has only escaped much trouble as the uncle of a traitress by undertaking this mission." 

"What is the mission?" 

"To pray me, if I would save myself from death and the vengeance of God, to work upon the heart of his Highness, which I know not how to do----" 

"Yet I think you might find means, Merapi." 

"----save through you, his friend and counsellor," she went on, turning away her face. "Jabez has learned that it is in the mind of Pharaoh utterly to destroy the people of Israel." 

"How does he know that, Merapi?" 

"I cannot say, but I think all the Hebrews know. I knew it myself though none had told me. He has learned also that this cannot be done under the law of Egypt unless the Prince who is heir to the throne and of full age consents. Now I am come to pray you to pray the Prince not to consent." 
What people all have a certain knowledge?
What do they know?
According to whom?
Who agrees with this idea?
Whose place did someone try to do their job in?
Were they writing enthusiastically?
What did they fear?
Did someone enter?
Who?
What was her job?
What did she want?
Who had Merapi recently interacted with?
Are they related?
How so?
Who had run and is missing?
How has her relative avoided problems?
Hebrews
"I cannot say, but I think all the Hebrews know. I knew it myself though none had told me.
that Pharoah wishes to destroy Hebrews
Jabez has learned that it is in the mind of Pharaoh utterly to destroy the people of Israel." 
Jabez
Jabez has learned that it is in the mind of Pharaoh utterly to destroy the people of Israel." 
Merapi
. I knew it myself though none had told me.
Seti's
hat evening I sat ill at ease in my work-chamber in Seti's palace, 
no
making pretence to write
threats to his Prince
I who felt that great evils threatened my lord the Prince,
yes
 old Pambasa the chamberlain appeared 
Pambasa
old Pambasa the chamberlain appeared 
chamberlain
Pambasa the chamberlain 
to announce Merapi
saying that the Hebrew lady Merapi, who had been my nurse in sickness, wished to speak with me.
Jabez
I have but just seen my uncle Jabez, 
yes
"I have but just seen my uncle Jabez
Jabez is her uncle
I have but just seen my uncle Jabez
Laban
Laban has fled away and none know where he is, 
by sending Merapi to plead
Jabez has only escaped much trouble as the uncle of a traitress by undertaking this mission." 