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.
"My son! my son!" he cried; "thou art wrong.

She is not mad.

The woman spoke the truth; she spoke not of herself, but of the voice within her that cannot lie.

For this Atoua is a prophetess and holy.

Now learn thou the destiny that the Gods of Egypt have given to thee to fulfil, and woe be unto thee if by any weakness thou dost fail therein! Listen: thou art no stranger adopted into my house and the worship of the Temple; thou art my very son, saved to me by this same woman.