Page:The Story of Joseph and His Brethren.djvu/23



OSEPH'S brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem, and Jacob sent Joseph to see if it was well with his brethren, and well with the flock, and to bring him word. When Joseph came to Shechem, he learned from a man, of whom he inquired, that they had gone to Dothan. "And Joseph went after his brethren and found them in Dothan." He was now some miles away from the house where his father lived. "When his brethren saw him afar off, and before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him." How cruel must have been their hatred! Their brother, and but a lad, came a distance from home to see them and inquire after their welfare. One might suppose that if they could not love him, they could not have it in their hearts to injure him: yet no sooner does he appear in the distance on his