"And if you die first," said the woman, "she will follow you afterwards to the under-world, and see through you there."
"That will be less dangerous," said the shoemaker laughing, "for then I shall be glorified too, and shall know all about her past life. That will not all be white paper either, and if she throws a shoe at me I will fling the last at her."
"Come home," said the basket-maker's wife, pulling her husband away. "You are getting no good by hearing this talk."
The bystanders laughed, and the baker exclaimed: "It is high time I should be in the Necropolis before it gets dark, and see to the tables being laid for to-morrow's festival. My trucks are close to the narrow entrance to the valley. Send your little ones to me, and I will give them something nice. Are you coming over with me?"
"My younger brother is gone over with the goods," replied the shoemaker. "We have plenty to do still for the customers in Thebes, and here am I standing gossiping. Will the wonderful heart of the sacred ram be exhibited to-morrow do you know?"
"Of course--no doubt," said the baker, "good-bye, there go my cases!"