News came from Judaea that King Herod was dead.

It was also reported that his successor, called Herod the younger, was of milder temperament and a true friend of his people.

So Joseph considered that the time was now come when he might return to his native land with his wife and his tall, slender son.

His basket-making, through industry and thrift, had, almost without his noticing it, put so much money into his pocket that he was able to treat with a Phoenician merchant regarding the journey home.

For they would not go back across the desert: Joseph wanted to show his family the sea.