Very good, David. But I don't know how we can get out. Sarah has filled the house with guests: in every room the blind and the maimed are waiting for you with a pleasant smile; there are also dead people there, David. Your Sarah is a splendid woman, but she is too much of a hostess, David, and she intends to build up a fine household on miracles. DAVID. But she must not do it, Nullius. ANATHEMA. Many people are already sleeping at your doors, smiling in their dreams,--self-confident, lucky people, who have managed to outstrip the others.... And in the garden and in the yard.... DAVID. _With fear._ What is there in the yard?... ANATHEMA. Not so loud, David. Look and listen. _He puts out the light in the room and draws aside the draperies; the windows are lit up with a red light; it is dark in the room, but David's head, and the paper on the floor, are tinted a pale crimson hue._ DAVID. _Frightened, in a whisper._ Where does this fire come from, Nullius? I am afraid. ANATHEMA. _Also in a whisper._ 'Tis a cold night, and they have started bonfires. Sarah told them that they would have to wait a long time yet, so they have taken precautions. DAVID. Where did they get the wood? ANATHEMA. They broke certain things. Sarah told them that you ordered them to start bonfires, and they are humbly burning whatever wood they find.... And there, David, farther away.... DAVID. _In despair._ What is it, Nullius? What else can there be, there yonder?... ANATHEMA. I do not know, David. But from the upper window, which was wide open, I heard something like the roaring of the ocean when the rocks tremble with pain from the beating of the breakers; it was as though the roaring of brass trumpets that I heard, David,--they are shouting to the sky and to you, and they are calling you.... Do you hear? _In the muffled noise and chaos of sounds, ring out the sounds: Da-vid! Da-vid! Da-vid!_ DAVID. I hear my name. Who is calling? What do they want? ANATHEMA. I don't know. Perhaps they want to crown you as their king. DAVID. Me? ANATHEMA. You, David Leizer. Perhaps they are bringing you might and power--and the power of performing miracles--do you not want perhaps to become a God, David? Look and listen. _He throws the windows wide open. The sounds of the voices calling "Da-vid, Da-vid, Da-vid!" grow louder and are mingled with the blowing of trumpets._ _David at first moves to the wall, then he slowly advances to the window. He straightens himself, looks out of the window, and pushing Anathema aside, outstretches his arms to the poor of the earth._ DAVID. _Calling._ Come this way! Come here! To me! I am here! I am with you! ANATHEMA. _Astonished._ What? You are calling them? You--are--calling--them? Bethink yourself, Leizer! DAVID. _Angrily._