John the Baptist: A Play

_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._]