Enter The Rabbi, with a father, a mother, and their son, who seems subdued, as if after an exhortation by The Rabbi. The Rabbi dismisses them blandly.
The Rabbi.
That boy came as stubborn as a donkey, but a little touch of sympathy, enough concession to soothe his pride, a little tact withal, and he departs as meek as a lamb.
Sachel.
But Rafael is my son, and you cannot twist him about your finger. He has no heart; he treats me like a dog. They say he is foul of my maid-servant. If it's true——
The Rabbi.
'Sh! 'sh! Scandalous! Are you every gossip's plaything? Come! Violence, violence—we shall do nothing with violence. Rafael is young, short-sighted and stubborn; but he's a good fellow at heart. We must handle him delicately, like a big trout. You leave him to me, and he will stay at home and marry Aaron's daughter, willingly.
[They sit in front of Aaron's house.
Esther.
Now what did I tell you, you silly old man!