Part 12 (1/2)

ESTHER.

Sachel, your medicine!

[_ROSA brings a jug of hot water to the table; ESTHER prepares some medicine with the water._

_Enter SACHEL._

SACHEL.

That girl--where is she?

ESTHER.

She's here.

SACHEL.

[_Aside._] That's what Rafael said last night. Rosa! Go and water the flowers in my window and pick off the dead leaves, and be sure you give plenty of time to it. [_Exit ROSA._

ESTHER.

Well! Since when have you taken such an interest in flowers?

[_She goes upstairs._

SACHEL.

I want to talk; I've been awake all night. This girl keeps lying to me. Last night she had the effrontery to tell me--[_with calculation_]--she told me she was considered beautiful!

ESTHER.

[_Not interested._] Well, she is beautiful!

[_Exit ESTHER._

SACHEL.

H'm! [_He thinks deeply; rises._] Rosa!

_Enter ROSA._

Last night you tried to make me think you were ugly;--you deceived me. You are not a woman--you are a fiend come into my house--come in out of the Christian world--to do what? What do you expect to do here? Do you know you are in the heart of the Ghetto? What do you expect to do in my house?

ROSA.

Nothing but what my G.o.d gives me the right to do!

SACHEL.