The Curse of the Pharaohs Read Online Free PDF Page B

today?"
    "Not at all. It would be impossible for them to be duller than they normally are. I suppose it is all this talk in the newspapers about Luxor that makes me restless."
    "I understand."
    "Of course you do. You suffer from the same malaise— suffer even more than I, who am at least allowed to hover on the fringes of the profession we both love. I am like a child pressing its nose against the window of the toy shop, but you are not even permitted to walk by the place."
    This flight of fancy was so pathetic, and so unlike Emerson's usual style of speaking, that it was with difficulty that I prevented myself from flinging my arms about him. However, he did not want sympathy. He wanted an alleviation of his boredom, and that I could not provide. In some bitterness of spirit I said, "And I have failed to obtain even a poor substitute for your beloved excavations. After today, Lady Harold will take the greatest pleasure in thwarting any request we might make. It is my fault; I lost my temper."
    "Don't be a fool, Peabody," Emerson growled. "No one could make an impression on the solid stupidity of that woman and her husband. I told you not to attempt it."
    This touching and magnanimous speech brought tears to my eyes. Seeing my emotion, Emerson added, "You had better join me in a little spirituous consolation. As a general rule I do not approve of drowning one's sorrows, but today has been a trial for both of us."
    As I took the glass he handed me I thought how shocked Lady Harold would have been at this further evidence of unwomanly habits. The fact is, I abominate sherry, and I like whiskey and soda.
    Emerson raised his glass. The corners of his mouth lifted in a valiant and sardonic smile. "Cheers, Peabody. We'll weather this, as we have weathered other troubles."
    "Certainly. Cheers, my dear Emerson."
    Solemnly, almost ritually, we drank.
    "Another year or two," I said, "and we might consider taking Ramses out with us. He is appallingly healthy, sometimes I feel that to match our son against the fleas and mosquitoes and fevers of Egypt is to place the country under an unfair disadvantage."
    This attempt at humor did not win a smile from my husband. He shook his head. "We cannot risk it."
    "Well, but the boy must go away to school eventually," I argued.
    "I don't see why. He is getting a better education from us than he could hope to obtain in one of those pestilential purgatories called preparatory schools. You know how I feel about them."
    "There must be a few decent schools in the country."
    "Bah." Emerson swallowed the remainder of his whiskey. "Enough of this depressing subject. What do you say we go upstairs and—"
    He stretched out his hand to me. I was about to take it when the door opened and Wilkins made his appearance. Emerson reacts very poorly to being interrupted when he is in a romantic mood. He turned to the butler and shouted, "Curse it, Wilkins, how dare you barge in here? What is it you want?"
    None of our servants is at all intimidated by Emerson. Those who survive the first few weeks of his bellowing and temper tantrums learn that he is the kindest of men. Wilkins said calmly, "I beg your pardon, sir. A lady is here to see you and Mrs. Emerson."
    "A lady?" As is his habit when perplexed, Emerson fingered the dent in his chin. "Who the devil can that be?"
    A wild thought flashed through my mind. Had Lady Harold returned, on vengeance bent? Was she even now in the hall carrying a basket of rotten eggs or a bowl of mud? But that was absurd, she would not have the imagination to think of such a thing.
    "Where is the lady?" I inquired.
    "Waiting in the hall, madam. I attempted to show her into the small parlor, but—"
    Wilkins' slight shrug and raised eyebrow finished the story. The lady had refused to be shown into the parlor. This suggested that she was in some urgency, and it also removed my hope of slipping upstairs to change.
    "Show her in, then, Wilkins, if you please," I said.
    The lady's urgency