The Ghetto Part 15

Rafael! But your father--[_knock_]--you mustn't tell him!

RAFAEL.

Hus.h.!.+ [_Exit ROSA. RAFAEL goes to the window; sees REBECCA._]

Rebecca! She knows that the old people will be at the synagogue at this hour. What does she want here? A true daughter of her father, and yet she has many virtues, I suppose! I wish she would take her virtues and go home! I want to get at my music.

_Enter REBECCA._

 

Oh, some friend of Rosa, I suppose?

REBECCA.

What--don't you know me? I am Rebecca--I used to know you once.

RAFAEL.

Oh, Rebecca--Abram's daughter, of course. Won't you----?

[_Points to a chair._

REBECCA.

Not Abram's daughter, Rafael; Aaron's daughter. My father was here only yesterday.

RAFAEL.

Oh, Aaron's daughter! Oh yes! Aaron was here only yesterday!

REBECCA.

Yes.

RAFAEL.

And now you are here.

REBECCA.

Yes. He came to sell some wool.

RAFAEL.

Some wool? I thought it was a lamb he came to sell. Ah well! [_Motions to chair._] Let us proceed to business.

REBECCA.

But I did not come on business.

RAFAEL.

We are quite alone.

REBECCA.

From what your friends Samson and Daniel have just told me, I should think not.

[_She examines the room._

RAFAEL.

How do you like it?

REBECCA.

[_Laughs._] Father said I ought to come and see Esther.

RAFAEL.

Oh, so your father--a thoughtful man; your father, a man of tact, admirable tact!

REBECCA.

You say such strange things!

[_A pause. She begins to struggle with a ring on her finger._

RAFAEL.

[_Yawning._] Admirable tact!

REBECCA.

This ring--it's so tight--it hurts my finger so! I took it from Isaac's son one time--when we played that our fathers had engaged us to marry. I don't suppose it was quite proper of me, was it, Rafael?

It was years ago--but--but--[_pulls_]--it doesn't come easily! [_She stretches out her hand to him._] Don't you want to clear it away, Rafael?

RAFAEL.

[_Goes to the cupboard._] Just a moment.

REBECCA.

[_With her hand still out._] Everybody out, Rafael?

RAFAEL.

[_Bringing a plate._] There's not a Jew in the house.

[_He removes the ring easily, and gives it to her on the plate._