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Is he looking for us?
SACHEL.
He might be; he does not care what vagabond he goes with.
DANIEL.
It is true! For I hear he is about to turn Christian and marry his father's maid-servant!
SAMSON.
And any one who dislikes it is to be thrown out of the house--even if it be his father! Daniel, shall we stay to meet such a person?
DANIEL.
I scorn the interview! [_Exeunt._
SACHEL.
You are rascals and liars! [_To ESTHER._] They speak the truth! It is Rosa who has turned my son against me!
ESTHER.
Oh, be still! Here comes the Rabbi!
_Enter THE RABBI, with a father, a mother, and their son, who seems subdued, as if after an exhortation by THE RABBI. THE RABBI dismisses them blandly._
THE RABBI.
That boy came as stubborn as a donkey, but a little touch of sympathy, enough concession to soothe his pride, a little tact withal, and he departs as meek as a lamb.
SACHEL.
But Rafael is my son, and you cannot twist him about your finger. He has no heart; he treats me like a dog. They say he is foul of my maid-servant. If it's true----
THE RABBI.
'Sh! 'sh! Scandalous! Are you every gossip's plaything? Come!
Violence, violence--we shall do nothing with violence. Rafael is young, short-sighted and stubborn; but he's a good fellow at heart.
We must handle him delicately, like a big trout. You leave him to me, and he will stay at home and marry Aaron's daughter, willingly.
[_They sit in front of AARON'S house._
ESTHER.
Now what did I tell you, you silly old man!
THE RABBI.
Silly old man! Not at all. An affectionate father, deeply troubled about his only child--sorely vexed because too many things have gone wrong at once! Would you have him sit still and not open his month?
Oh no, Sachel is not the man to let things take care of themselves!
SACHEL.
It is true! What does she know about the feelings of a parent? Ah, I would mould things now, Rabbi, but times have changed. Once, as it is written in the Books of Moses, a son must obey his father, or he would be stoned to the gates of the city! That was right!
THE RABBI.
It was right then; but, as you so very rightly observe, Sachel, times have changed; and when one throws stones now, one must pay for the windows. So, instead of stoning Rafael, we shall marry him to Rebecca; and in time you shall be the grandfather of a boy; a boy, I say! Ha, ha, ha! You don't laugh enough, Sachel!
SACHEL.
I cannot laugh! I tell you there is a serpent in my house. This girl--this Rosa, I could swear that she----
THE RABBI.
Shame! shame! I won't hear about it! It was for you that I was preaching, but you do not listen when you come to synagogue. Of course, you were thinking about Rafael. You leave him to me. He shall marry Rebecca, do you hear? In such matters as this you are a child!
SACHEL.
He shall do my bidding, or he shall go in rags! 'Sh!
[_They all listen. Enter RAFAEL, with his hand bound up carelessly in a handkerchief._
THE RABBI.
Why, it's Rafael! What an unexpected pleasure!
RAFAEL.
It _is_ a long time since I have seen you.
SACHEL.
Daniel and Samson are liars! But if it were true, I would----
THE RABBI.
Tut, tut! What's the matter? Mumbling about business matters on the Sabbath! Well, well, how you've shot up since--since----
RAFAEL.
Since last I came to the synagogue I have had time to grow.
THE RABBI.
I pa.s.s that over. I don't look upon you as gone astray. You are seeking for the light, and when you find it, whether you think so now or not, you will find it there! [_Indicating the synagogue._]
Just as when you find happiness you will find it here.
