Page:The cry for justice - an anthology of the literature of social protest. - (IA cryforjusticea00sinc).pdf/104

 (The judges for a brief period appear in deep thought—they knit their brows, gaze up at the ceiling, prop up their noses, sigh and obviously endeavor to think. Venerable silence. Then with faces profoundly solemn and earnest, silent as before, the judges rise, and simultaneously they turn around facing Death. And all together they bow low and lingering, stretching themselves forward.)

(with bent head):—What is your pleasure?

(swiftly rising, wrathfully strikes the table with his clenched fist and speaks in a grating voice):—Condemned—in the name of Satan!

(Then as quickly he sits down and sinks into a malicious inflexibility. The judges resume their places.)


 * —Starveling, you're condemned.


 * —Have mercy!

the next starveling
 * —Put the muzzle over him. Bring

(The next starveling is led into the room. She is a graceful, but extremely emaciated young woman, with a face pallid and tragic to view. The black, fine eyebrows join over her nose; her luxuriant hair is negligently tied in a knot, falling down her shoulders. She makes no bows nor looks around, is as if seeing nobody. Her voice is apathetic and dull.)


 * —What's your offense, Starveling?


 * —I killed my child.

(Spectators.)

—Oh, horrors! This woman is altogether destitute of motherly feelings.

—What do you expect of them? You astonish me.

—How charming she is. There's something tragical about her.

—Then marry her.