The Ghetto Part 31

[_At the ca.n.a.l._] Dear G.o.d--dear G.o.d--No more--no more!

SACHEL.

Come away!

ROSA.

Rafael! [_She jumps into the ca.n.a.l._

SACHEL.

Stop! O--O G.o.d! It isn't true! Rosa! Rosa! [_At the wall._] A stick!

A stick! I cannot find one! Where are you? For G.o.d's sake, answer!

Don't you hear? O G.o.d! O G.o.d! [_Turns to the house, where music is being played._] Daniel! Samson! Open the door! [_The music drowns his voice._] Help! help! [_He rushes back._] Rosa! Reach out your hand! Where are you--where are you? Answer me--[_the music ceases abruptly_]--answer. [_A silence. He slinks away from the wall. A pause._] What will Rafael do? What will G.o.d do?

[_He hears the footsteps of RAFAEL._

_Enter RAFAEL, joyously._

RAFAEL.

h.e.l.lo, father, father! I'm home again! Why haven't I heard from you?

I--what's the matter?

SACHEL.

[_Trembling._] I--I--don't mind me! I--I--I thought you wouldn't come back. We didn't get your letters until to-day. But you've come--you've come! Rafael, for G.o.d's sake, don't leave me! For G.o.d's sake--I'm sick, I'm blind, I've only a little while left! Stay with me. Don't leave me alone--you mustn't leave me alone!

RAFAEL.

You are not well. Have you been in the heat? Father, why do you tremble so?

SACHEL.

I'm not trembling, my boy. I--I--my boy, my boy, ask me anything and I will give it to you! I can't live without my son! If you speak a harsh word to me I shall drop dead, Rafael.

RAFAEL.

Father, father, be calm; Heaven knows I don't want to be harsh to you; there's a clean page to begin on if you like. We'll leave this place; come and live with Rosa and me. She has never spoken a harsh word to you, has she? Don't you see now that she has the gentleness of an angel? Wait till our people know her!

SACHEL.

Yes, yes, I know; my G.o.d, I know--I--I--[_RAFAEL makes as if to go in._] Rafael, for G.o.d's sake, don't leave me!

RAFAEL.

Where is she, father? She was afraid to stay here; but I told her she was my wife, and that you loved your son, and that ought to be enough to rea.s.sure her. I had to go with Hanakoff. I have made a success, do you hear? Don't worry, don't tremble. I must find Rosa.

Where is she? Rosa! I've something to tell you!

SACHEL.

No, no; don't speak so loud!

RAFAEL.

Yes, but she does not hear me! Isn't she in the house? Rosa! What have you said to her? Where is she? She is not here. Where is she?

SACHEL.

Don't ask me, don't ask me!

RAFAEL.

Where is she?

SACHEL.

I couldn't stop her!

RAFAEL.

From what? Where is she?

SACHEL.

Don't know, don't know! She went away!

RAFAEL.

Where--why?

SACHEL.

You shall not blame me! It was not my doing. Aaron--Aaron--it was he who bribed the postman! Before G.o.d it was not I!

RAFAEL.

Bribed the postman? She did not hear from me? Where is my wife?

SACHEL.

No, no, Rafael, my boy; my dearest boy--she's gone, she took money, she deserted you!

RAFAEL.

You are lying!

[_People collect, looking over the ca.n.a.l wall._