Pharaoh was pleased with the wisdom of Joseph. He appointed him at once to have charge over the corn, and commanded the people to obey him in all that he bade them do. Then the king gave him a ring and a chain of gold to wear upon his neck. He dressed him in fine linen and made him a golden chariot. And the people loved Joseph and obeyed him.
Then followed seven years of fruitfulness, such as even the fertile valley of Egypt had never known before; and the people hoarded their corn until their store houses were full to bursting.
And when every house was full, then began the drought and famine; and no food grew for the people in all the seven years that followed. Great indeed might have been the suffering; for no rain came, no corn grew, and everywhere the people were crying to Joseph for food.
And the famine spread even into the country of Canaan; and Joseph's own people were starving.
JOSEPH MAKES HIMSELF KNOWN TO HIS BRETHREN.
