' I was angry when he read it; but I held my
peace."
"You did well, my son, to hold your peace. I myself have often heard
such words, of late, from the doctors in the synagogues; but it is not
wise to answer them. Where they got their notions, I know not. From
the Egyptians, I think, more than from the prophets. All Egyptians
hate shepherds, and can never speak of them without sneering. Perhaps
they have not yet forgotten how the shepherds conquered and ruled them
for generations. Nevertheless, there is some reason why the calling of
the shepherds should be despised. Many of them are rude and fierce
men. Living out of doors so constantly makes their manners rough and
their temper harsh. They are often quarrelsome. Such bloody fights as
I used to see among them, at the wells in the south country, where
they brought their flocks to water and each one wanted the first
chance at the well, I hope you will never look upon."
"But all shepherds are not so," protested Joseph.
"No, indeed. Brave men they must be; fleet of foot and strong of limb
and stout of heart; but brave men are not always quarrelsome. Many a
shepherd whom I have known had a heart as pure and gentle as a
child's. And the godliest men that I have known have been among them.
If the shepherd has but learned to think, to commune with his own
soul, he has time for thought and time for prayer.
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