BRAGADAYHAJ 143

To put the rest of the narrative into perspective, the ten Hebrew brothers were led to Joseph’s house, of course they still did not know it was Joseph, and as they went they feared that something sinister lay ahead and they feared for their fate. Accordingly as soon as they got to the house they began to explain to the chief of Joseph’s household that they were not spies, nor were they thieves; that they initially came down to Egypt to buy corn. “With regard to the money in our sacks, we had no idea it was there or how it got there; it was not until we were well on our way home when we stopped by an in to rest and feed the asses that we discovered the money which we had given in payment for the corn still in our sacks. But in any event now we have returned to buy more corn, we have brought that money as well as money to buy future corn.” And so Joseph’s servant said to them, “Don’t worry; the money in your sack was a gift from God your father; but more importantly I have your brother Simeon here with me, and see now I present him to you.” Having presented Simeon, Joseph’s servant then gave them water to wash their feet, a mark of hospitality, and food for their animals. Significantly, water for their feet should have allayed their fears. It should have told them that they were not prisoners, but guests in this man’s household whoever he was. Soon after, Joseph came home and his guests brought him the presents they had brought him, and paid him the respect due his high office. Then Joseph asked about their father, whether he was dead or yet alive. They assured him that he was and he then turned his attention to young Benjamin his mother’s only other child; and seeing him, he was so overcome with emotion that he retreated to his bedchamber where he wept. Refreshing and controlling himself, Joseph returned to sit and have lunch with the brothers and other guests. His brothers were much surprised by the seating arrangement, seeing that the ten of them were seated formally in hierarchical seniority, making sure that Benjamin’s portion was five times more than the others. If the Hebrew brothers noticed the special attention to Benjamin, they must have concluded that the stranger was taking a special liking to their young brother, which they no doubt concluded, forebode well for them all. More