nherit with the son of peace.'

LADY. Do you know why Ishmael was driven out? It says just before--that
he was a scoffer. And then it goes on: 'He will be a wild man, his hand
will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and against
all his brothers.'

STRANGER. Is that also written?

LADY. Oh yes, my child; it's all there!

STRANGER. All?

LADY. All. There you'll find answers to all your questions even the most
inquisitive!

STRANGER. Call me your child, and then I'll love you.... And if I
love anyone, I long to serve them, to obey them, to let myself be
ill-treated, to suffer and to bear it.

LADY. You shouldn't love me, but your Creator.

STRANGER. He's unfriendly--like my father!

LADY. He is Love itself; and you are Hate.

STRANGER. You're his daughter; but I'm his cast-out son.

LADY (coaxingly). Quiet! Be still!

STRANGER. If you only knew what I've suffered this last week. I don't
know where I am.

LADY. Where do you think?

STRANGER. There's a woman in that but who looks at me as if I'd come to
rob her of her last mite. She says nothing--that's the trouble. But I
think it's prayers she mutters, when she sees me.

LADY. What sort of prayers?

STRANGER. The sort one whispers behind the backs of those who have the
evil eye or bring misfortune.

LADY. How strange! Don't you realise that one's sight can be blinded?

STRANGER. Yes, of course. But who can do it?

HOSTESS (coming across to their table). Well, look at that! I suppose
she's your sister?

STRANGER. Yes. We can say so now.

HOSTESS (to the LADY). Fancy meeting someone I can speak to at last!
This gentleman's so silent, you see, that one feels at once one must
respect him; particularly as he seems to have had trouble. But I can
say this to his sister, and he shall hear it: that from the moment
he entered the house I felt that I was blessed. I'd been dogged by
misfortune; I'd no lodger, my only cow had died, my husband was in a
home for drunkards and my children had nothing to eat. I prayed God to
send me help from heaven, because I expected nothing more on earth. Then
this gentleman came. And apart from giving me double what I asked, he
brought me good luck--and my house was blessed. God bless you, good sir!

STRANGER (getting up excitedly). Silence, woman. That's blasphemy!

LADY. He won't believe. O God! He won't believe. Look at me!

STRANGER. When I look at you, I do believe. She's giving me her
blessing!