There were quail drying, according to the custom of lower Egypt.
"But what was it that I read in his face, as he looked down at me ?" Heraklas asked himself.
Thenceforward, unspoken, yet felt as surely as though expressed, there existed in Heraklas' mind a constant suspicion of Athribis.
Heraklas carried the papyrus roll with him, day and night.

Well did he know the danger, but he said to himself that he would not be dictated to by a servant.

That was the ostensible reason he gave himself for not immediately burning the roll.

In reality, he knew that the words of the Christians' Book had pierced his soul.

He dared not burn the book.