Not a word of our troubles. She knows naught of Jerusalem’s evil plight.
Jochebed
I don’t understand. She does not know that the town is besieged?
Ahab
Why should we tell her what is impending? The very thought would kill her.
Jochebed
[Greatly astonished] She does not know that Ashur is upon us? Is there still a living being within the walls who remains ignorant of our misery? How has this miracle been wrought? Are her senses closed? Is she deaf to the hosannas? Does she think we are at peace when the battering rams thunder against the walls?
Ahab
Her senses are dulled. Such noises as she hears seem the noises of a dream. I have closed the entries, shutting out sound and light.