Merytra sank into a chair, throwing off her dark cloak.
"Of a truth, friend Kaku," she said, so soon as she had got her breath, "you dwell very near the gods." "Yes, dear Merytra," he answered with a dry chuckle, "I keep a kind of half-way house to heaven.

Perched here in my solitude I see and make note of what goes on above," and he pointed to the skies, "and retail the information, or as much of it as I think fit, to the groundlings below." "At a price, I suppose, Kaku." "Most certainly at a price, and I may add, a good price.

No one thinks much of the physician who charges low fees.

Well, you have managed to get here, and after all these years I am glad to see you again, looking almost as young and pretty as ever.

Tell me your secret of eternal youth, dear Merytra." Merytra, who was vain, smiled at this artful flattery, although, in truth, it was well deserved, for at an age when many Egyptians are old, she remained fresh and fair.
"An excellent conscience," she answered, "a good appetite and the virtuous, quiet life, which is the lot of the ladies of Pharaoh's Court--there you have the secret, Kaku.