The Ghetto Part 19

THE THIRD ACT

SCENE: _A street. At the right the entrance to the synagogue, with steps and a portico. At the left the house of AARON, before which are some chairs, in the shade of an awning. Some trees and shrubs give a grateful contrast to the surroundings of SACHEL'S house, seen in ACT I._

_The final chant of a Jewish service is heard within the synagogue.

Enter REBECCA, flushed from her interview with RAFAEL, as the chant ends, and among others, AARON comes out of the synagogue._

AARON.

 

Ah, you've come back! Did you find Esther at home?

REBECCA.

No; you knew she would not be at home!

AARON.

Eh! After you had gone, my dear, there I saw her, going into the synagogue.

_Enter ROSA; she looks about anxiously._

Well, how did you--how did you get on?

REBECCA.

[_Angrily, seeing ROSA._] I----

AARON.

[_Seeing ROSA._] 's.h.!.+ It's all arranged, my girl! You wanted him; now you have him. Are you happy?

REBECCA.

[_Her eyes on ROSA, with growing malevolence._] Yes.

AARON.

Go in. Rafael is coming here, and the Rabbi--a quiet talk. Make yourself look well; the boy's a little high-strung, you know.

By-and-by we will go out by the shop door; we will come round this way and join them. We must use tact. Will you come in?

REBECCA.

[_Still facing ROSA._] In a moment. [_Exit AARON._

ROSA.

[_Overcoming a reluctance._] Have you seen Rafael?

REBECCA.

He's not here. [_Malignantly._] He went home again.

ROSA.

Do you speak the truth?

REBECCA.

If I spoke all the truth I know you would not stay to hear it!

ROSA.

All the truth you know would not take long to tell! [_Exit._

REBECCA.

She hates me! She shall hate me more!

[_Exit into the house._

_Enter SACHEL and ESTHER from the synagogue; she looks about._

SACHEL.

You do not see him?

ESTHER.

Not yet.

SACHEL.

He won't come; he suspects that the Rabbi will try to influence him.

_Enter SAMSON and DANIEL._

ESTHER.

He said he would walk home with us. Good afternoon, have you seen Rafael?

DANIEL.

Good afternoon. [_To SAMSON._] _Have_ we seen Rafael!

SAMSON.