Nefret smiled. She was accustomed to having people react to that announcement with disbelief or disapproval. “I would be happy to.”

When the offer was again rejected she did not persist. A cup of tea removed the governess’s ill humor. She began to apologize for inconveniencing us.

“Think nothing of it,” I said. “You are newcomers to Cairo , I believe? How do you like it?”

“Not at all,” said Miss Nordstrom bluntly. “I have never seen so many beggars and so much dirt. The guides are impertinent. And none of the wretches speak English! I was against our coming, but Major Hamilton was determined to have his niece with him, and duty brought him here. Are you acquainted with him?”

“I have heard his name,” Emerson said. “With the Corps of Engineers, is he?”

“He was called in to consult on the defenses of the Canal and reports directly to General Maxwell,” Miss Nordstrom corrected. She was obviously proud of her employer; she went on to tell us in tedious detail about his past triumphs and present importance.

Miss Molly was unimpressed. More—she was bored. She brightened, however, when the only missing member of the family sauntered in, tail swinging. Seshat went straight to Ramses, who held out his hand.

“So you finally woke up?” he inquired. “Good of you to join us.”

“Oh, it’s beautiful,” Miss Molly exclaimed. “Is it yours, Ramses?”

“Molly!” Miss Nordstrom exclaimed. “You are being familiar!”

“That’s all right,” Ramses said, with a reassuring smile at the girl. “This is Seshat, Molly. She, not it, if you don’t mind.”

Seshat condescended to be introduced and have her back stroked—once. She then returned to Ramses. Seeing Molly’s face fall, Nefret said, “Are you fond of animals? Perhaps you would like to visit my menagerie.”

Miss Nordstrom declined the invitation, and since I found the woman very tedious, I went off with Nefret and Miss Molly. The poor little thing perked up as soon as we were out of the room.

“Miss Nordstrom is rather strict,” I said sympathetically.

“Oh, Nordie means well. It’s just that she won’t let me do anything interesting. This is the best time I’ve had since we got here.”

“What do you usually do for entertainment?” Nefret asked.

Molly gave a little skip. “Do my lessons and take drives around the city while Nordie reads out of Baedeker. Sometimes we have people to tea. Children, I mean. I’m not out yet, so I’m not allowed to associate with young ladies. And the children are so young!”

Nefret laughed. “How old are you?”

“Seventeen.” She looked from Nefret to me and back to Nefret, and realized that little fabrication was not going to be believed. “Well… I will be sixteen in a few months.”

“Fifteen?” Nefret inquired; her brows were arched and a dimple trembled at the corner of her mouth. “Are you sure you don’t mean fourteen—or thirteen—or—”

“Almost thirteen.” Molly admitted defeat with a scowl at Nefret.

She forgot her grievance when Nefret showed her round the “menagerie.” Narmer, the unattractive yellow mongrel whom Nefret persisted in calling a watchdog, greeted us with his customary howls and bounds, and had to be shut in the shed to keep him from jumping at everyone. Miss Molly did not care much for him (neither did I), but a litter of puppies brought her to her knees, and as the little creatures crawled over her she raised a face shining with pleasure. “They’re so sweet. I do wish I could have one.”

“We’ll ask your uncle, shall we?” Nefret suggested. “I’m always looking for good homes for my strays.”

“He’ll say it’s up to Nordie, and she’ll say no. She thinks animals are dirty and make too much trouble.”

She was still playing with the puppies when Ramses joined us. “Enjoying yourself?” he asked, smiling down at her. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but Miss Nordstrom sent me to fetch you. She is anxious to get you home.”

“That dreary hotel isn’t home.” But she removed the puppies from her lap and held out her arms to Ramses. “It still hurts. Will you carry me?”

“There’s no swelling,” said Nefret, running experienced fingers round the small foot. “I think it would be better for you to walk it off. Here, let me help you up.”

She left Miss Molly little choice, lifting her to her feet and taking firm hold of her arm.

“Are you really a doctor?” the girl asked.

“Yes.”

“Is it very hard, to be a doctor?”

“Very,” Nefret said rather grimly.

Miss Nordstrom was pacing impatiently up and down the room, so we saw them to their waiting cab and parted with mutual expressions of goodwill.

“Why did you leave me alone with that dreadful woman?” Emerson demanded.

“Sssh! Wait until they are farther away before you begin insulting her,” I said.

“Well, I don’t care if she hears. She’s awfully hard on the child, you know. By her own admission she never takes her anywhere. Can you believe it, Peabody —this was their first visit to Giza , and they haven’t even been to Sakkara or Abu Roash!”

“A cruel deprivation indeed,” I said, laughing. “Not everyone is interested in ancient sites, Emerson.”

“She would be if she had the chance,” Emerson declared. “She asked me all sorts of questions when I was bringing her here. Why don’t you write to her uncle, Peabody, and ask if she can visit us from time to time.”

“You’ll have to have Miss Nordstrom too.”

“Damnation. I suppose that’s so.” Emerson brooded. “Ah, well. We might ask her and her uncle for Christmas dinner, eh? She’s a bright, cheerful little thing, and she seemed to enjoy our company, don’t you think?”

“Oh, yes,” Nefret said. “No question about that.”