Book Excerpt for the Day

    “There’s little damage aside from a moderate sprain,” said Merikare, who held a royal commission.  “A day’s rest will cure it, and—“ his voice grew a little louder, as though he expected an argument, “—if Your Highness can bring himself to leave that statue alone, it’ll mend all the better.”

    Khay twitched his pleated linen overskirt back over the bandage.  “I’ve heard you, Merikare,” he said.  “What you said and what you’ve left unsaid.  ‘If Your Highness can manage to refrain from climbing over that fallen statue like one of your own brats until it’s healed’—that’s what you meant.”

    The physician’s mouth betrayed a quiver, but he replied gravely enough, “I’d never be so impertinent, Highness.”

    (from Pharaoh’s Son,  by Diana Wilder)

    7½*/10.  The full review is here.
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