The Ghetto Part 13

SACHEL.

All because I said "Good morning" to you. I have been considering it. I am willing to talk with you. As you probably said in your sleep last night, if you can get rid of your daughter without paying more than ten thousand guilders, you'll be pretty well satisfied.

AARON.

Eh--what?

SACHEL.

Come on, it's time to start to the synagogue; we'll have a talk on the way.

AARON.

But, my dear sir, eight thousand----

SACHEL.

No; as you said in your sleep--ten thousand!

[_Exeunt all._

_Enter SAMSON, cautiously._

SAMSON.

Rosa! Rosa! [_Aside._] A little show of modesty! Rosa! Nevertheless she is listening at the other side of that door; she thinks I will betray myself in some soliloquy. H'm! [_Loudly._] Ah--she's not here; how the blood rushed to my heart, like the sea beating against a rock, when I thought I should have two golden moments alone with her! [_He stands on lowest cupboard shelf to be near her door, which is upstairs._] But she's gone!--gone forth to air her beauty. Such beauty! Such a face, such a form! Night after night she floats in my dreams--[_he steps up one shelf nearer_]--for I love her so that I have not slept a wink for weeks.

_Enter DANIEL, un.o.bserved by SAMSON._

And if she were here I would tell her so! I could gratify her tastes! For once her love is mine. [_He draws a bunch of keys from his pocket._] She shall hear such music as this from morn till night----

[_He jingles the keys._

_Enter ROSA._

One--two--three--four--five--five gold pieces! Did I come abroad with only five? H'm! There are plenty more like these indoors--yes, in doors! And here I stand peris.h.i.+ng with my ardour. Nay, I feel faint----

[_DANIEL bursts into loud laughter._

ROSA.

[_To SAMSON._] You miserable cur! [_SAMSON descends sheepishly._] If I were of your faith--if I were not a servitor, without a father, without a brother, you would not dare! [_DANIEL laughs._] And you--if you were a little better than he, you would have struck him!

What do you want here? Go!

DANIEL.

Look here, my girl, you need not be so virtuous when you talk to us!

We live next to you--our windows overlook yours--eh, Samson?

SAMSON.

Don't you be unpleasant to this lady!

ROSA.

[_To DANIEL._] What do you mean?

DANIEL.

Lady! What do we mean? What's the difference? Rafael is a friend of ours. We are most liberal--most charitable, eh, Samson?

ROSA.

Rafael? Why do you speak of Rafael? What do you mean?

SAMSON.

Now you needn't bring Rafael into it, Daniel. I don't want any--any misapprehension with Rafael.

ROSA.

You shall have an understanding with him, you cowards--you vulgar beasts! I shall tell him!

DANIEL.

He'll tell you to hold your tongue. Are you his wife? No; you're a Christian servant in his father's house; we know all about that, and you'd better learn to take a joke.

SAMSON.

It was only a joke, you know--only a joke--(_with a forced laugh._) [_ROSA'S anger increases._] Now don't you tell Rafael that I was trying to get in his way!

ROSA.

What do you mean? Get in his way? He would flick you over his shoulder into the ca.n.a.l. I shall tell him!

SAMSON.

Don't--don't bring Rafael into it! Hasn't he enough on his mind already?

ROSA.

Would anything so slight as you increase his burden? You cowards! You both fear him! You _may_ fear him!

_Enter RAFAEL._

RAFAEL.

Hallo! News! news! I've seen Hanakoff--and Hanakoff says--Hanakoff--what's the matter? What is the matter? Which of you was it? Rosa, what did they do?