LEVI   Maybe it's this way. I think we should have waited until daylight.

SHIMON   No. He will be back on his feet by then. His room can't be much farther.

LEVI   We should have at least taken one of the torches first.

DINAH   (off) Mara? Is that you, (SHIMON and LEVI start, are about to exit when she enters. DINAH (pronounced Dee-nah) is wearing a robe over a gown and carries a candle.) Is the medicine ready? (She sees SHIMON and LEVI, still in shadow) Who is it?

LEVI   Dinah, it's all right, it's only us. (the lights rise)

DINAH   It's late. Who let you in? One of the servants? (LEVI and SHIMON don't know know how to reply) What are you doing here?

LEVI   We came here to congratulate you.

DINAH   Thank you, Levi. But you did that at the wedding...

SHIMON   Yes, but everything was so rushed. We did not deliver your dowry first; we must show that we are good to our word. The dowry is outside. Come and see that it is sufficient.

DINAH   I trust you to pick out good goats, Shimon.

SHIMON   It is your duty to see that they are the best goats.

DINAH   It is my duty to stay here. I promise I will look in the morning, when Shechem, when my husband, is better.

LEVI   What are you doing up at this hour?

DINAH   I was waiting for a servant. She is going to bring him a healing herb to take away the pain and help him rest. So I am going back to bed.

LEVI   We are not here because of the dowry.

DINAH   What's wrong?

SHIMON   Our father has suddenly fallen ill. He wants you to go to him.

DINAH   But he was well...what has happened to him?

LEVI   He will be all right...(Glancing to SHIMON) but you must go to him. He has been calling for you to be by his side.

SHIMON   On the trip home he turned pale. By the time we got back he went to lie down and has not risen since. You know his heart is weak. Go to him.

DINAH   He has often need a rest. He overworks himself. Levi, my husband is in a lot of pain, I must stay here and take care of him. Our mother and all our brothers are with father. Send him my love. I can come to him tomorrow...