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hard-sounding, high laugh - and went back into the house.

Death Comes as the End
    II
    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.
    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 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 sons' wives, take advantage of your kindness. It should be understood that when you come here for repose, there must be silence and tranquility. 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.”
    Color 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,