Page 485 - the-brothers-karamazov

and begin reading it without grand words or supercilious-
ness, without condescension to them, but gently and kindly,
being glad that he is reading to them and that they are listen-
ing with attention, loving the words himself, only stopping
from time to time to explain words that are not understood
by the peasants. Don’t be anxious, they will understand ev-
erything, the orthodox heart will understand all! Let him
read them about Abraham and Sarah, about Isaac and Re-
becca, of how Jacob went to Laban and wrestled with the
Lord in his dream and said, ‘This place is holy’- and he will
impress the devout mind of the peasant. Let him read, es-
pecially to the children, how the brothers sold Joseph, the
tender boy, the dreamer and prophet, into bondage, and
told their father that a wild beast had devoured him, and
showed him his blood-stained clothes. Let him read them
how the brothers afterwards journeyed into Egypt for corn,
and Joseph, already a great ruler, unrecognised by them,
tormented them, accused them, kept his brother Benjamin,
and all through love: ‘I love you, and loving you I torment
you.’ For he remembered all his life how they had sold him
to the merchants in the burning desert by the well, and how,
wringing his hands, he had wept and besought his brothers
not to sell him as a slave in a strange land. And how, seeing
them again after many years, he loved them beyond mea-
sure, but he harassed and tormented them in love. He left
them at last not able to bear the suffering of his heart, flung
himself on his bed and wept. Then, wiping his tears away,
he went out to them joyful and told them, ‘Brothers, I am
your brother Joseph’ Let him read them further how hap-

The Brothers Karamazov