“Why hast thou been disobedient to me, my son?” he said. “How came it that thou wentest forth against the lion when I bade thee not?” “How knowest thou, my father, that I went forth?” I asked in fear. “How know I? Are there, then, no other ways of knowledge than by the senses? Ah, ignorant child! was not my Spirit with thee when the lion sprang upon thy companion? Did I not pray Those set about thee to protect thee, to make sure thy thrust when thou didst drive the spear into the lion’s throat! How came it that thou wentest forth, my son?” “The boaster taunted me,” I answered, “and I went.” “Yes, I know it; and, because of the hot blood of youth, I forgive thee, Harmachis. But now listen to me, and let my words sink into thy heart like the waters of Sihor into the thirsty sand at the rising of Sirius.[*] Listen to me. The boaster was sent to thee as a temptation, he was sent as a trial of thy strength, and see! it has not been equal to the burden. Therefore thy hour is put back. Hadst thou been strong in this matter, the path had been made plain to thee even now. But thou hast failed, and therefore thy hour is put back.” [*] The dog-star, whose appearance marked the commencement of the overflow of the Nile.--Editor. “I understand thee not, my father,” I answered. “What was it, then, my son, that the old wife, Atoua, said to thee down by the bank of the canal?” Then I told him all that the old wife had said. “And thou believest, Harmachis, my son?” “Nay,” I answered; “how should I believe such tales? Surely she is mad. All the people know her for mad.” Now for the first time he looked towards me, who was standing in the shadow.