[She jumps into the canal.
Sachel.
Stop! O—O God! It isn't true! Rosa! Rosa! [At the wall.] A stick! A stick! I cannot find one! Where are you? For God's sake, answer! Don't you hear? O God! O God! [Turns to the house, where music is being played.] Daniel! Samson! Open the door! [The music drowns his voice.] Help! help! [He rushes back.] Rosa! Reach out your hand! Where are you—where are you? Answer me—[the music ceases abruptly]—answer. [A silence. He slinks away from the wall. A pause.] What will Rafael do? What will God do?
[He hears the footsteps of Rafael.
Enter Rafael, joyously.
Rafael.
Hello, father, father! I'm home again! Why haven't I heard from you? I—what's the matter?
[Trembling.] I—I—don't mind me! I—I—I thought you wouldn't come back. We didn't get your letters until to-day. But you've come—you've come! Rafael, for God's sake, don't leave me! For God's sake—I'm sick, I'm blind, I've only a little while left! Stay with me. Don't leave me alone—you mustn't leave me alone!
Rafael.