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Hearken, mistress ...
THE MOTHER
Woe is me! Away! May you die as I am dying, abandoned by your children; may you die in the straw like an outcast.
AHAB
Let me say a word ...
THE MOTHER
One word only will I listen to, that he is coming, that he is here.
AHAB
That is what I would fain tell you. He is coming. His footsteps draw nigh.
THE MOTHER
[Rapturously] He is coming, my Jeremiah? Deceive me not, Ahab. Cheat not a dying woman.
JOCHEBED
Ahab has already sent his sons to seek out Jeremiah.
THE MOTHER
He is coming. Is it true? Yes, I hear him. I hear his footfall. I hear him in the house. He knocks at the door, knocks within my heart. Hasten, man, hasten. Why do you tarry to admit him?
AHAB
[Endeavoring to calm her] Mistress, he will be here anon. Early this morning did I send my boys.
THE MOTHER
[In excitement once more] Nay, he will not come. Your lads are slothful, and are idling in the streets. Would they but hasten. The darkness gains on me. If I could but see him ere I sink into it. Run, Ahab, he may be at the door.
AHAB
Have patience, you will do yourself a harm.
THE MOTHER
Why do you not let him in? Can you not hear how he is hammering at the door? I feel it in my temples. Open to him, open.
AHAB
Not yet is he here, but he will come ere long.
JOCHEBED
He will soon be here. Have patience a while.
THE MOTHER
No, no; he is there, but you are keeping him from me. My time is short.
My limbs are cold ...
[JEREMIAH comes quietly into the doorway, and remains standing in doubt, his hands clenched, his head bowed as if he were carrying a heavy burden]
AHAB
Don't throw yourself about so. He will be here anon.
[Catching sight of JEREMIAH, he starts and stops speaking. JOCHEBED likewise preserves an anxious silence. For a few moments no one speaks in the darkened room]
THE MOTHER
[Raising herself with difficulty] Why are you both silent? [She suddenly gives a cry of joy] Has he come? Is my Jeremiah here? Where are you, Jeremiah?
[Hesitatingly, JEREMIAH moves forward a few steps. He, too, is a prey to strong emotion]
THE MOTHER
[Stretching out her arms towards him] You are there, I feel it. Would that I could see you clearly. Why come you not close, that I may touch you?
JEREMIAH
[Not moving, his hands still clenched] I dare not, I dare not. Disaster dogs my footsteps. Curses go before me. Let me stand thus apart, lest my breath harm you, lest it strike terror to your soul.
THE MOTHER
[Feverishly] My child, my arms crave for you. Come close, dear, come close. Are my lips so hateful to you? Is my hand so estranged?
JEREMIAH
I am estranged from myself, and a stranger in this house.
THE MOTHER
Alas, he repels me, will leave me once more. What makes you so cold, so hard-hearted?
JEREMIAH
A word burns between us like the sword of the angel of G.o.d.
THE MOTHER
