any case, I have not slaved my eyes away that another man's child may be fed.

Enter Rebecca.

Aaron.

Still he must marry some day.

Sachel.

Marry whom? No girl who does not bring twelve thousand guilders shall marry my son!

[Exit Esther.

[Rebecca pauses at the bridge unobserved and interested.

Rebecca.

[Aside.] They are getting on!

Aaron.

[Swelling with indignation.] Twelve thousand guilders! Twelve thousand guilders! A snap of the finger! And is your son a prince? You talk like an imbecile. Suppose some one was fool enough to give his daughter such a dowry, what would you give your son?

Sachel.

Nothing! He has his share in the business—or will have.

Aaron.

Oh, you're enough to make a man jump into the sea!

Sachel.

Did I ask anything of you? Why should you jump into the sea?

Aaron.

Eh, what? Rebecca! How did you happen to be here?

Sachel.

[Ironically.] Yes, how did you happen to be here?

Rebecca.

Why, didn't you tell me——

Aaron.

[Waving her away.] We're talking business, Sachel and I!

Enter Esther.

Esther, those cakes are wonderful!

Esther.

Thanks! [To Rebecca.] Look here. [Showing a photograph—watching her closely.] Rafael is a good-looking boy, isn't he?

Rebecca.

Oh, you'd better let me have this! He wouldn't mind, would he? What a fine likeness—but so sad!

Esther.

That's for some nice girl to take out of him.

Rebecca.

[Tapping the photograph.] And you'll let me——

Esther.

Have the picture? With pleasure! Have you seen Isaac's new warehouse?

[Points up the canal. Rebecca retires to the bridge.

[Sotto, to Aaron.] I like your girl—she's remarkably discreet. When she's married, you'll be lonely enough!

Aaron.

[Sotto.] And when she is married, Esther—[meaningly]—may I take me a wife on the same day; one that can bake such cakes as those! [Aloud.] Esther, there is not another woman in Amsterdam that can bake such cakes as those!

[The two exchange meaning glances; they advance on Sachel, as if now in alliance.

Rebecca.

[Aside.] I don't believe it was about me!

Aaron.

But, outside of that, Rebecca is a wonderful housewife, and in the shop—she brings me the trade!

Sachel.

H'm! She'll never bring you a son-in-law! For you can't spare money to give with her. You need it all in your business.

Aaron.

Do I? With my daughter there will go a trifle of eight thousand guilders.

[Pause.

Rebecca.

[Aside.] It is about me. They are getting on!

Aaron.

And he thinks a girl will bring his son a matter of twelve thousand guilders.

Enter Rosa; she shows that she has been listening and is troubled.

Sachel.

Let my son tell me he is going to marry a girl with less than twelve thousand! I would give him the choice of starvation. I would lock the door on him.

[Rosa sees the photograph in Rebecca's hand.

Aaron.

Who's talking of your son? My daughter—Esther, just look at her—such a figure, such a skin—such eyes! Esther, Esther, look at her walk! Look at her walk!

Rebecca.

Is Rafael at home?

Rosa.

No.

Esther.

Rafael and Rebecca—that would sound rather well!

Aaron.

My dear woman, I won't give twelve thousand guilders.

Sachel.

And I won't give my son at less!

Aaron.

Your son? Did I ask you for your son? Did I?

Sachel.

Did I ask you for your daughter? What is she to me?

Rebecca.

[Aside.] Oh, they are really getting on!

Aaron.

Oh, my daughter! I wish your son were her equal! If I had such a son——

Sachel.

I don't want your advice! [Rises.] You manage your own child. I'll manage mine.

[Starts for shop.

Aaron.

You will? You can't manage him. Where is he now? Dallying with some wanton, for all you know! My God, one would think him a second Joseph!

Sachel.

Do you house him? Do you feed him? Does he trouble you? Speak well of him, or go home!

Aaron.

I will go home!

Esther.

Sit down! Now talk sense! It's a good match: you both know it's a good match, and so—[to Rebecca]—have you seen the repairs to the old bridge?

[Rebecca moves farther away, leaving the photograph of Rafael on the wall.

[Lowering her voice.] They are both only children. And so, in any case, the money will stay in the family. You let Sachel consider it.

[Rosa takes the photograph of Rafael and hides it behind her.

Rebecca.

[Aside.] I wonder how Rafael will consider it?

Sachel.

It costs nothing to consider it, but——

Esther.

We'll see you to-morrow.

Aaron.

At my house—before service. Come on, Rebecca; I have arranged about the wool.