Part 5

THE RABBI.

Very well; but you will treat the young girl tenderly, my friends? Look here; you and Esther and Rafael bring her to my house some night when there will be no one else there. We'll let her feel the warmth of our hearts, as if she were already a Jewess. We will show her what the inner life of the Jews is; the life that the Christians have no conception of. And so we will work upon her better nature; but--yes, yes, I see you are busy. You are not worrying about Rafael, then?

AARON.

Oh, he'll be all right. I'm sure of it.

[_They start off over the bridge._

THE RABBI.

I'm glad to see you here, Aaron. It does you credit to forget your disappointments! [_Exeunt._

_A bell tolls ten o'clock. Enter ROSA. Her pallor and the tremor of her voice show the effects of intense emotional strain._

ROSA.

The very hour that he went away, and seven days are gone! Seven days--and he stood here and took me in his arms! Oh!--[_turning_]--you who cry after me that Rafael has deserted his Christian mistress; it is because you never knew the love of anything but money! You look down--always down! But the same clear sky was over our heads when he kissed me here, and we looked up to it and thanked God, who made us dare to lead our life in open truth before the world! Let _God_ punish us for loving each other, if that be a crime! Oh, _does_ He punish us? Where is my Rafael, you star that watched over us then! I love him, I love him; I cannot live without him--sweet star, tell me where he is to-night! Oh, it is from pity that you will not tell! And he lies cold and dead! Rafael, Rafael, I'm all alone--all alone! [_Weeps._] No, no; it can't be that! Dear God, who sees me here among these aliens, you could not be so cruel to your own! Not so cruel as that! Not so cruel as that!

[_She sobs; exit._

_Enter AARON and SACHEL._

AARON.

Where is Esther?

SACHEL.

Can't you hear her snoring? I can, though she is away at the back of the house! I have not slept seven hours in these seven days!

AARON.

Do you think the girl has any suspicion that Rafael may have found that he has undertaken the impossible? If he did throw her off--I don't say that he has--but if he did, it must strike her that she wouldn't have a place to go in all the world!

SACHEL.

She believes in him.

AARON.

When he is with her, yes! But when he is away, and she waits and waits, are not all women alike? Doesn't she know that he has sacrificed every guilder that he might have had from you?

SACHEL.

I said that to them. Why did I not hold my cursed tongue! He hadn't a copper in his pocket; the poor boy had given away everything he had, to bury Mordecai's son.

AARON.

And does not she know that he gave up every friend he had, too, when he forsook his religion? These things must have passed through her mind.

SACHEL.

What do I care what is passing in _her_ mind!

AARON.

Of course, of course! [_Pulls the letters from his pocket._] But the main probability is that Rafael will soon return. I am only thinking whether before he returns this girl could not be influenced to leave here, made to believe that the boy has deserted her? You can't blame me for considering my daughter's feelings in this matter. Now suppose we could let drop a few things in Rosa's presence, without appearing to know that she overheard?

SACHEL.

I don't care about her! I want _him_ to come back.

AARON.

Don't you see: after a whole week, after all her waiting and waiting, without a word from him and with her whole life trembling in the balance, then if she overhears certain things----! Of course if we try to persuade her he is gone, she'll suspect at once. But there are certain remarks that we can let drop, quite casually, you know, that will absolutely make her believe that he does not intend to come back; that he has deserted her.

SACHEL.

But she _won't_ believe it!

AARON.

No, not if we try to convince her! But we won't try! You only make certain statements within her hearing; and if she says they are not true, just shrug your shoulders! What is in that girl's mind? Either that he has met harm, or that he is afraid to come back to her; that the poverty staring him in the face has been too much for him. Seven days is a long time when a woman is alone on the rack of doubt. Now, do you see what I mean?

SACHEL.

But I want my son! I don't care whether he marries your daughter! I want my son!

AARON.

[_Tapping the letters._] Here are some letters. One for you and four for Rosa.

SACHEL.

Where did _you_ get them? Is mine from Rafael? Yes? Ah, ah! Read it, quick!

AARON.

[_Reads._] "Father: Rosa will tell you where I am. I am your son; do not be harsh to Rosa. The Rabbi told me that he knew you would keep her over night; as I left her for a night, relying upon his good offices with you, so I feel I may leave her for a week. Good-bye, father. Rafael."

SACHEL.

He's all right! He's all right! [_Pauses, suddenly._] Look here, you miserable rascal, you've had this for a week. You've bribed that postman; it's a crime!

AARON.

One for you and four for her. Will you listen to one of those he wrote to her? [_Opens it._] Shall I open it?

SACHEL.

You have, already.

AARON.

Shall I read it?

SACHEL.

[_After hesitation._] Yes.

AARON.

[_Reads._] "My darling: If I take ship at once with Hanakoff for London, I have the opportunity of a life time; it will fix me in my career as I had never dreamed of. My mind tells my heart that I must go; but I am as joyful as I am sorrowful; for in a week, dear, I take you away from the stifling air you breathe to-night--out of the Ghetto, into the freedom which is the right of our love. Good night, my angel! Your Rafael."

SACHEL.

He'll have money now. He'll never look at me again. She's got him! She's got him! O, I would to my Maker I were dead!

AARON.

No, no! She hasn't got him! She shan't have him! Don't you see, this clears the way for the very thing I proposed to you.

SACHEL.

What? What? It might succeed, with the girl in the state she is. But if it does, what will Rafael say, to-morrow?

AARON.

Eh? Why, if he finds her gone and she left no word, let him draw his own conclusions; that she was afraid to stand by him; afraid to share his poverty. You say "to-morrow"? He may be back to-night! It's your one chance. If it succeeds, the girl goes, with two hundred guilders in her pocket; Rafael stays home--in due time marries Rebecca--becomes a successful Jew. If it fails--then this Christian robs you of him anyway! [_SACHEL ponders; then suddenly touches him; they listen; AARON whispers._] Only casually; not an effort to convince her! She can't help believing it, then!

SACHEL.

Sh--!

_Enter ROSA, by the bridge; she drops her hands, hopelessly, and stays near the bridge, turned away from them._

AARON.

[_Without looking about, whispers._] Was that her step? [_SACHEL nods; a pause; AARON begins in a moderate tone._] Yes; but a man who gives his word to one girl and then deserts her, would desert another girl. Shall I let my daughter risk that? No!

SACHEL.

But I tell you it is not a parallel case! A marriage solemnised in a synagogue is one thing; but a marriage such as this--which we all know is not a marriage, either inside or outside the Ghetto--I tell you it's totally different!

AARON.

Didn't he commit himself morally? Very well! Then he goes and finds that he has been tricked by a venial under-magistrate, for the sake of thirty guilders; and he finds that it was no marriage at all! The girl is reduced merely to the position of his mistress----

SACHEL.

Well, doesn't that dispose of _her_? Doesn't that rid him of responsibility?

AARON.

Yes; but it is a high moral consideration that occupies me. The boy found that he could rid himself of his burden; the discovery came when he had been looking about for a week, and finding nothing but poverty, privation and despair on every side; no one would lend him money; none of his former friends would speak to him; there was only the choice between an absolutely hopeless struggle and running away. He ran! And I say a young man who has thus been tried and found wanting is no man to be my daughter's husband!

SACHEL.

O! Because Rafael has had one mistress is he not good enough to be your daughter's husband?

ROSA.

What do you mean! What do you mean, Sachel! [_The two men rise, affecting surprise._] It is a lie! It is a cruel lie!

AARON.

Eh? Doesn't the _girl_ know about it?

ROSA.

What do you mean by saying that he ran away from me? How do you know that he ran away from me? Where is he! Tell me where he is! Quick, you shall!

AARON.

No one will know where he is until he has spent the money he sent for. And that ought to keep him a year, even in England.

ROSA.

England--you say he has gone to England? You tell me he has deserted me? After what he said before the synagogue? I say it's a lie--a preposterous lie! It isn't true that I am only his mistress--it's a lie!

AARON.

I'll tell you what _is_ true; after this escapade with you he'll have to prove himself a man before he marries my daughter.

ROSA.

He can't marry your daughter! He's mine! O, God, what does this mean? Can't you find him? Can't you let me see him? He would have written to me--I know he would! Sachel, let me go to him. Sachel, tell me where he is!

AARON.

What could Sachel do, even if he could reach the boy? After seven days, at the very moment Sachel has been persuaded to accept all this--to treat you as his daughter--here slinks Rafael along the canal and up through the warehouse and whispers that he has given you up! Then he wheedles his father out of more money than I would give ten sons, and then boards a ship for England! [_To SACHEL._] Do you think I'll see my daughter marry such a man? If he wants to return next year on the hope of marrying Rebecca, you tell him to remain in England!

ROSA.

It's a lie! He couldn't desert me. He's a man of soul--of honour! It isn't true. My God, it can't be true!

AARON.

You'd better find a place to sleep, and then compose yourself to make the best of it. I have a friend in the country who will receive you. With the money that Rafael has persuaded his father to give you, begin life over again. Come! [_Touches her._

ROSA.

No, I will not come! It is a lie. You try to convince me because you know I will kill myself--because you----

AARON.

Has any one tried to convince you? Sachel is the only one to gain by your going. Has he tried to convince you?

ROSA.

I know--I know--O God! Sachel, Sachel, as you fear your God, swear to me that he has deserted me! Swear to me that he wants to marry Rebecca!

SACHEL.

I--I----

AARON.

Shall _I_ take an oath, on the Law of Moses, that is fastened to the lintel there?

ROSA.

I will not believe _you_ on any oath! I will only believe Sachel--Sachel, who could not deceive me--[_turns to SACHEL_]--because you know that if you make me go away and kill myself Rafael will hate you, for ever and ever! Sachel, Sachel, can't we get him back? I'll do anything--anything. I'll become a Jewess if you'll get him back! Sachel, Sachel!

[_Cries hysterically._

AARON.

The poor girl wants your oath. That's a simple matter. [_To SACHEL._] There is no reason why I should stay here to witness this. Good-night!

[_Exit by the bridge._

SACHEL.

Such as you to kill yourself--h'm! Now take your money and be off! I'm going to lock my door.

ROSA.

_You_ haven't said the marriage was false! _You_ haven't said he went away! _You_ haven't said he wants to many her--you dare not! It can't be true! It _can't_ be true!

SACHEL.

Dare not--dare not. What do you mean? You thankless hussy! You wreck my home, you rob me of my son, and then when he has gone and I offer you money to leave me in peace you dare to say I lie!

ROSA.

No, I did not say _you_ lied, because _you_ have not said that he is deserting me! You will not! You dare not! He loves me; he is coming back! I will stay until he comes!

SACHEL.

He wants to be rid of you. He has gone to England. He wants Aaron to----

ROSA.

Sachel, Sachel, think what you are saying! Tell me he is dead--tell me anything but that he's left me! O, could your son dishonour me? Think what you are saying! No, no--not unless you swear it in the sight of God! Sachel, Sachel--[_as he puts hand on the lintel_]--don't swear to it--[_on her knees_]--don't swear to it!

SACHEL.

[_With a burst of rage._] God!--Hear me then. You have been nothing but Rafael's mistress! Rafael has deserted you! Rafael wants to marry Rebecca! Rafael has sailed from Amsterdam! By the sacred Law of Moses, by all that is holy in the sight of God, I swear it! I swear it! Now go! Take your money and go!

[_She goes towards the canal._

ROSA.

And so--and so--Dear God--dear God!

SACHEL.

Where are you? Here, take it--take it! Where are you going?

ROSA.

[_At the canal._] Dear God--dear God--No more--no more!

SACHEL.

Come away!

ROSA.

Rafael! [_She jumps into the canal._

SACHEL.

Stop! O--O God! It isn't true! Rosa! Rosa! [_At the wall._] A stick! A stick! I cannot find one! Where are you? For God's sake, answer! Don't you hear? O God! O God! [_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 God do?

[_He hears the footsteps of RAFAEL._

_Enter RAFAEL, joyously._

RAFAEL.

Hello, 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 God's sake, don't leave me! For God'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 God, I know--I--I--[_RAFAEL makes as if to go in._] Rafael, for God'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 reassure 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 God 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 canal wall._

SACHEL.

She said--she said she hated our race--she hated you--she hated all of us; she was going away, out of the Ghetto, away, off there, there--[_He points away from the canal. The excitement at the canal wall increases. RAFAEL starts as if towards the wall._] Not there, not there, Rafael, my boy, my boy!

RAFAEL.

What's the matter down there? [_Two men bring ROSA up the steps; the crowd obscures her from RAFAEL._] Who is that? My God! Is it a woman?

A MAN.

Yes.

RAFAEL.

[_Pushes through the crowd._] Rosa, Rosa--Rosa! Oh! oh! oh!

SACHEL.

Oh, my boy!--oh, my boy! Rafael! Rafael! I couldn't stop her!

RAFAEL.

[_Turning on his father._] Ugh! Off from me--off! Oh, oh, damnable, damnable monster! Take him away!

AN OLD MAN.

He's your father! Shame! shame!

[_Hisses from crowd._

RAFAEL.

[_To SACHEL._] Keep your cursed talons off! Murderer! Murderer! You made her drown herself!

A SECOND MAN.

Leave him alone! Shame! This is the man who blasphemes God!

A THIRD MAN.

He profaned the synagogue--he curses his father!

[_RAFAEL meanwhile looks upon the body of ROSA._

THE SECOND MAN.

Shall he do all this--this--in our teeth? [_Hisses from the crowd._] Hide your face! Hide your face!

[_Advances on RAFAEL._

RAFAEL.

Stand away from her! [_Throws him down, turns to his father._] O God, if I had not concealed your knavery from her, your holiest oath would not have moved her! And now must you live on, while she lies thus?

SACHEL.

[_To the crowd._] She poisoned my son; she took away his religion--she killed my son's love for his father! She deserves it--she deserves it!

RAFAEL.

Rosa, my Rosa, you shall not die! Life, life, freedom--the blue sweet sky, we two together singing in the sun--not the dead soul sighing through the trees--not the whisper of night--the sorrowful shade that passes in the mist! No, no, you must feel my breath upon your cheek, you must feel my arms, you must live, live! [_ROSA stirs._] Live! She breathes--she breathes! Air--distance--distance, I say! Rosa, it is I, Rafael! You are safe! Not all the fiends in God's grey world shall thrust an arm between us. Rosa! Rosa!

ROSA.

[_Raising her head a little._] Rafael, forgive me----

SACHEL.

Rafael--Rafael--she means me. Forgive _me_--for God's sake--[_on his knees to RAFAEL, who turns his back_]--Rafael!

SECOND MAN.

Shame! shame! He hates his father!

THE CROWD.

Shame! shame! Punish him!

[_The crowd closes in on RAFAEL._

ROSA.

[_In fear._] Rafael!

RAFAEL.

Are you no better than a mob of Christians? Stand back! [_Pushes the crowd back violently._] Rosa, Rosa--away--out of the Ghetto--into the air! Rosa!

[_The crowd starts to close in again; he takes ROSA in his arms and rushes across the bridge. The crowd follows, walking rapidly. SACHEL is left solitary._

SACHEL.

Rafael! Raf---- [_He falls._

_Enter A WATCHMAN._

WATCHMAN.

Eleven o'clock, and all's--[_Stops and looks at SACHEL, who stirs and sobs._] Eleven o'clock!

[_Exit WATCHMAN, thoughtfully._

Eleven o'clock!

THE END.

Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO. London & Edinburgh

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Transcriber's note:

Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_).

Inconsistencies in spelling and hyphenation have been retained from the original.

Obvious typographical errors have been corrected as follows: Page 28: "ust" changed to "just" Page 30: "manag" changed to "manage" Page 120: "sustain" changed to "sustained" Page 134: "want's" changed to "wants"

Errors in punctuation have been corrected without note.