John the Baptist: A Play - LightNovelsOnl.com
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Mine, too, Josaphat.
JOSAPHAT
Thank him, Amarja, for eating with us. [_While John seats himself, he says, sotto voce, to Amarja_] Come! [_Observes Jael, who has been standing at the door unnoticed._] Jael, thou here, and the children?
JOHN
Is that thy wife, Josaphat?
JOSAPHAT
Yes, Rabbi.
JOHN
And thy children?
JOSAPHAT
Yes, Rabbi.
JOHN
Thou hast never told me of these.... Is thy name Jael? He called thee so.
JAEL
Yes, Rabbi.
JOHN
Why comest thou not nearer?
THE BOY
We are afraid of thee, Rabbi.
JOHN
[_Smiling._] Why are you afraid?
THE BOY
I do not know.
JOSAPHAT
Forgive him, Rabbi ... he ...
JOHN
Josaphat, wilt thou entrust them to me for a few minutes?
JOSAPHAT
[_Bows his head, signs to Amarja, and goes away with him to the right._]
SCENE III
_John, Jael, the children._
JOHN
Thy eyes have a sad look, Jael. Is thy heart troubled?
JAEL
Kneel down, Baruch, my son. Kneel down, both.
THE BOY
[_Half crying._] Mother!
JOHN
What is it, Jael?
JAEL
[_To the children._] Say: Prithee, Rabbi?
THE CHILDREN
Prithee, Rabbi.
JAEL
And this little one prayeth, too, though not old enough to pray....
JOHN
For what?
JAEL
That thou wouldest give them back their father; for see, they have no bread.