Jeremiah Part 29

By G.o.d's mercy I believe it. Thus will you save her alive.

AHAB

G.o.d be praised, Jochebed. In my sore need I have already done what you wish.

JOCHEBED

A blessing on you therefor!

AHAB

I have sent my boys seeking him.

JOCHEBED

If they can but find him. Lacking him, she will die of mingled pride and longing.

AHAB

Truly, since she drove him forth, she has been unceasingly at war with herself.

JOCHEBED

Who is at peace in this stormy time?

[The mother wakens with a sigh]

JOCHEBED

[Speaking softly to AHAB] Ahab, she stirs, she is waking. Her eyes are still closed, but her lips move as if to speak.

[AHAB bends over the sick woman]

THE MOTHER

[Speaks with closed eyes, the tones of her voice like those of a song heard in the distance] Has he come? Is he here? Where is he, the son of my sorrow?

JOCHEBED

[Whispering] How wonderful! For the first time she speaks of him plainly.

AHAB

Nay, she is still dreaming.

THE MOTHER

[Moves and opens her eyes] Are you there, Ahab? Is that you Jochebed? My dreams are dark and uneasy.

AHAB

[Tenderly] How do you feel? Have you slept well?

THE MOTHER

How can I sleep well, when my dreams are so dreadful? Where is he? I saw him. Why did he go away?

AHAB

Whom do you mean?

THE MOTHER

Why did he go away? Why did you let him go away?

AHAB

There has been no one in the room but Jochebed and me.

THE MOTHER

Not he? Not he? The house is haunted with dreams. [She sits up suddenly in bed, glancing round with feverish anxiety] Why do you not summon him?

AHAB

Summon whom?

THE MOTHER

How can you ask? Can you not see that death's hand is upon me? Yet you will not send for him.

AHAB

How should I dare ...

THE MOTHER

Alas, that I should be immured here, too ill to move, tended by blind servants with hearts of stone. Away, away.

AHAB

But mistress ...

THE MOTHER

You have betrayed me. You have forbidden him the house. I know he must have come, and you have barred the door. He has been here. My instinct tells me. He waits but the summons, and you will not send. You have denied him entry.

AHAB