The Ghetto Part 3

SACHEL.

I say you are. You are red in the face--I know it. Why were you up?

ROSA.

I was not up.

SACHEL.

I heard you! I heard you, and you cannot deceive me. Did I not lie awake until Rafael came home? It struck twelve as he went to his room.

It was not five minutes later when I hear steps along the hall--yes, I can hear steps, though the shoes be off! I heard steps, and then your door opened. Why do you stop? I heard your door open; what does it mean?

ROSA.

Do you mean that--that some one came--some one opened my door?

SACHEL.

Some one--some one! I mean you--you opened it--and you went downstairs. Why? What were you doing while you thought I slept?

ROSA.

I did not leave my room.

SACHEL.

And she will not lie for me! If you are honest, why does your voice tremble so? You were up, and why? If I miss anything;--do you want to be turned into the streets? [_He hears the noise of a window opening._]

Who's that? Some fresh enemy? I cannot move but some one's hand is raised against me! Enemies--enemies I cannot strike nor battle with--because I cannot see!

ROSA.

I--I am not your enemy!

SACHEL.

How do I know? Have I ever looked into your eyes? Ay, if I could look into them at this moment, G.o.d knows what I should find. You are not my enemy! Why, then, were you up last night prowling about my house--at midnight--when my son--when Rafael;--Rafael--? Come here! [_She comes to him._] Your hand! Was it Rafael? Did Rafael--? No, no, my beautiful boy--with such as you--an ugly, misshapen wench like you! [_Pause._]

Unless--unless they lied to me! Did not Esther sniff and say that you were white and thin, when we rescued you from pauperdom--when you were threatened with the streets--you thankless vagabond? They knew I would not have had you else! Rafael said that "pretty" was no word for such a face as yours; did he mean that you were beautiful;--did he mean that? Your form--yes, your form! [_He pa.s.ses his hand over her._] Hold still! Do you fear an old blind wreck like me? Ay, you are like a Madonna, d.a.m.n you! Your face--hold still--your nose--[_he pa.s.ses his hand over her face_]--your brow--your chin;--they lied to me! You are beautiful! It _was_ Rafael!

ROSA.

What do you mean? I tell you I am not beautiful!

SACHEL.

Are you ugly? Do you swear you are ugly?

ROSA.

You cannot see the colour of my skin--you cannot see the rings under my eyes.

SACHEL.

You swear--do you swear you are not beautiful?

ROSA.

I may have been pretty once--but now----

[_She is silent._

SACHEL.

[_Thoughtfully._] When she says that--h'm! H'm! No woman would deny her beauty if she had it. No, no! H'm! Rafael--my beautiful boy; why, I only mentioned it to frighten you!

_Enter ESTHER, over the bridge._

ESTHER.

What's the matter now--you troublesome old person?

SACHEL.

My sister--my compa.s.sionate sister! H'm! I know you're waiting, watching my face from day to day for a sign of death.

ESTHER.

You silly old man, does any one put a pin in your way?

SACHEL.

Any one? Every one! Has she not just driven away a customer because she would not----

ESTHER.

I don't want to hear about it!

SACHEL.

H'm! A little money--it is nothing! I have given my life for it--and my eyes--my eyes! By G.o.d's right, do not the blessings of thrift belong to me? And here I drag my gloomy, empty life away, with a son who brings me nothing, a sister who watches me like a vulture and this hussy who drives my customers to curse me!

ESTHER.

Who do you think gave me this letter for you? Aaron.

SACHEL.

Aaron! He hasn't been near us for years! What does he want? Read!