Madam Leizer, dancing is quite like mathematics, a circle is necessary. SARAH. Do you hear, David? DAVID. I hear. DANCING-MASTER. Please, monsieur Naum. One--two--three. _Plays on his violin._ NAUM. _Out of breath._ One, two, three. One, two, three. One, two, three. _He turns around, and then, suddenly, almost falls down. He stops. His face is exhausted, deathly pale; he is seized with a fit of coughing. Then he resumes dancing._ NAUM, One, two, three. DANCING-MASTER. That's the way, that's the way, monsieur Naum. Please, more neatly! More neatly, please! One, two, three. _He plays. Anathema walks over to Sarah cautiously and says in a low voice, yet loud enough to be heard by David:_ ANATHEMA. Madam Leizer, does it not seem to you that Naum is rather tired? This dancing-master knows no mercy. DAVID. _Turning around._ Yes, it is enough. Sarah, you are willing to torture the boy. SARAH. _Confusedly._ What have I to do with it, David? Don't I see that he is tired, but he wants to dance? Naum, Naum! DAVID. Enough, Naum! Take a rest. NAUM. _Out of breath._ I want to dance. _Stops and stamps his foot hysterically._ Why am I not allowed to dance? Or do you all want me to die soon? SARAH. You will live yet, Naum. You will live yet. NAUM. _Almost crying._ Why don't they allow me to dance? I want to dance. I have looked for credit long enough, I want to amuse myself. Am I an old man to be in bed and cough there? Cough! Cough! _He coughs and cries simultaneously. Anathema whispers something to the dancing-master, who expresses compassion, nods his head, and prepares to go._ DANCING-MASTER. Until to-morrow, monsieur Naum. I am afraid that our lesson was a little too long. NAUM. To-morrow--don't fail to come to-morrow. Do you hear? I want to dance. _The dancing-master goes out, bowing. Naum follows him._ NAUM. To-morrow, without fail. Do you hear? Without fail. _They go out._ ANATHEMA. What are you thinking of, David? Allow me to be not only your private secretary--although I am proud of this honor--but also your friend. Since the time when you received the money you are oppressed by a dark sorrow, and it pains me to look at you. DAVID. What is there that I should rejoice over, Nullius? SARAH. And Rosa? Do not sin against God, David! Do not our eyes rest upon her beauty and youth? Before even the silent moon dared not look at her, one star dared not whisper about her to any other star,--while now she is riding about in a carriage, and everybody looks at her, and horsemen gallop after her. Just think of it, Nullius, horsemen gallop after her! DAVID. And Naum? SARAH.