SCENE II
Jael with her children. John, Josaphat, Amarja.
JOSAPHAT
Here thou wilt be alone, Rabbi. The others remain outside.
JOHN
Accept my thanks, Josaphat.
AMARJA
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.]