## ACT I.

SARAH and RIFKELE are discovered as the curtain rises. Sarah is a tall, proposessing woman. Her features have become coarsened, yet they retain traces of her former beauty, which has even now a tone of insolence. On her head lies a wig, through which, from time to time, shows a lock of her alluring hair. She is dressed quite soberly, as befits a mother.

Rifle is a fascinating girl, dressed very neatly and modestly; still in short dresses, with two long braids hanging across her shoulders. She is busy decorating the room.

RIFKELE (as she ping last three flowers to the curtain)

There! See, mamma. Won't this be pretty?

SARAH, (busy arranging the table)

Hurry, daughter dear, hurry. Your father has already gone to ask the guests to bring the Holy Scroll home.

RIFKELE

Won't that be lovely? We'll have a house full of people... There'll be playing and singing... Yes, mamma dear?

SARAH

Yes, may darling. It's a sacred event, -- a great merit in the eyes of God... Not everyone can have a Holy Scroll written. Only a man of dignity, a person of standing.

RIFKELE

And will there be girls, too? And dancing? (Suddenly) I'll have to buy myself a waist, ma. And a pair of white slippers. (Sticking out her shoes) You can't dance in shoes, can you.

SARAH

When you'll be engaged, with God's help. Next Passover I'll make you a long dress and buy you slippers. Girls will come, fine young ladies, respectable ones. And you'll chum with them.

RIFKELE (stubbornly)

You're always putting things of f until Passover. I'm a grown-up girl now. (Looking into the mirror) See, ma. I'm a big girl. (Showing her hair). And just see how long my braids are. Why, Manke tells me... (Interrupting herself). And Manke will be there, too, won't she, mamma dear?

- 2 -

3

SARAH

No, my darling. Only nice, respectable girls. For you are a respectable child,
a decent Jewish daughter...

RIFKELE

Why not, mamma dear? Manke sketched a David's crown for me on the cover of the
Holy Scroll. . . I'm going to embroider it now in gold thread, -- You'll see how
beautiful it'll be, ma. (Points to the pictures on the wall.) A Hundred times
prettier than these . . .

SARAH, (with deep concern)

Sh, ssh! Don't tell that to your father! He'll scold and fly into a rage when
he hears of khaxx it.

RIFKELE

Why, mamma dear? It's for the Holy Scroll, isn't it?

SARAH

Your father will rave! (Footsteps are heard.) Ssh!

YEKEL (still without)

What? Do they think I'll get down on my knees and beg them? Not on their
lives! (enters. He is a tall, strong man of about forty, stout; swarthy counten-
ance, with black beard. He speaks in loud tones. His face and person beam with
a certain frank geniality).

So they won't come! They don't have to! . . . So I got together some poor
folks. . . Don't you worry. . . We'll have plenty of customers for our honey-
cakes and our geese.

(Noticing Rifkele, he sits down.)

Rifkele, come here, come to papa.

SARAH

(angered, but trying to conceal her feelings, continues to
set the table)

Do they think they'll spoil their pedigree by coming to you? And when they need
to borrow a hundred-rouble note. . . or take a charity contribution. . . they're
not ashamed of your company then. . . The Gentile is traif, but his money's
kosher.

YEKEL

Something new to worry about, eh? Never fear, it'll spoil none of your dishes.

(Calls Rifkele)

Well, well, come to daddy, won't you?

RIFKELE

(Approaches her father very unwillingly, in fear)

What does papa dear want?

YEKEL

3.

YEKEL

Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you.

(Takes her hand)

You like your father, don't you?

(Nods "yes")

RIFKELE

XIXXXL

YEKEL

Then why are you afraid of him?

RIFKELE

I don't know.

YEKEL

Don't be afraid of papa. He loves you. Very, very much. Today I'm having a Holy Scroll written. It costs a good deal of money. All for you, my child, all for you.

(Rifkele is silent. Pause)

And with God's help, when you are betrothed, I'll buy your sweetheart a gold watch and chain -- the chain will weigh half a pound. Papa loves you very dearly.

(Rifkele is silent. She lowers her head bashfully.)

There's nothing wrong about being engaged. God has ordained it.

(Pause)

Everybody gets engaged and married.

(Rifkele is silent)

Do you love daddy?

RIFKELE

(nodding, and speaking softly.)

Yes.

YEKEL

What shall I buy you?

(Rifkele is silent)

SARAH

(Busy at the table, to Rifke le)

Well, why don't you answer when your father speaks to you?

I don't know.

RIFKELE

SARAH

(To Yekel)

She wants a silk waist and a pair of white slippers.

YEKEL

Is that it? A silk waist and a pair of white slippers, Eh?

4.

RIFKELE

(Nods "yes")

YEKEL

You certainly deserve them.

(From his pockets, which jingle with coins, he takes out
a gold-piece and offers it to Rifkele)

Here, give this to mamma. And let her buy them for you.

(Rifkele takes the money and hands it to her mothers. On
the stairs outside is heard the noise of the poor folk
whom Yekel has invited. Yekel turns to Sarah)

See? You said

(He opens the door)

that you would have no guests.

(Calls)

Now then. Come in. Come in.

(Enter a crowd of poor people, men and women, at first
singly, as if they were stealing in; then more boldly
in groups. All greet Yekel, some of them ironically)

PEOPLE IN THE CROWD

Good day to you, host! (To Sarah) Good day to you, hostess.

SARAH

Oy, gwalt! Guests!

(Puts on an apron, places in it loaves of white bread,
rolls, honey-cakes and so forth, and distributes them
among the guest.)

BLIND WOMAN

Long life to you, hostess, and may you live to celebrate joyous events
beyond number. May the Holy Scroll bring good fortune and be a blessing
to your home.

YEKEL

(giving slices of white bread to the poor people. To, Sarah)

Give them a whole pound of cake apiece. And a bottle of brandy to take home with them. Let them know that I'm celebrating today. . . Never mind. I can well afford it.

BLIND WOMAN

(praising Yekel and Sarah before her poor neighbors)

This is a house for you, such luck may I have. Nobody ever leaves this place empty-handed. There's always a plate of soup for the sick, a shirt for a poor fellow. What then? Do you think you can get anything over there, where the proud purses live?

(Sarah, as if not hearing the woman's words, throws into the
apron of the latter a few more portions of food. The old
woman holds up her apron and continues to talk.)

Whenever there's a celebration here, . . . whoever you are, . . . however humble your trade . . .

5.

## OTHER POOR FOLKS (among themselves)

That's so. May we know such luck . . . May such good fortune be ours! . .

### YEKEL

(takes a handful of small change and casts it into
Rifkele's apron.)

Here, divide this among the poor folks. (Rifkele distributes the money)

### THE BLIND WOMAN

(Now enthusiastic, pointing to Rifkele)

Money! And show me, in the whole town, another girl as-respectable as she! . .

(To the other women)

Why, Rabbis haven't such virtuous children.

(More softly, yet loud enough for Yekel and Sarah to hear)

God alone knows how she came to them. . . Imagine, brought up in such a place,--
may Heaven not punish us for mentioning it!

(Louder)

And they guard her like the apple of their eye. . . They weigh and measure every
step she takes. It's a delight to look at her.

(Goes over to Yekel)

Never mind. Everybody knows it.

(Pointing to Rifkele)

If I had a Rabbi for a son, I'd choose her for his bride.

### THE OTHER WOMEN (among themselves)

Everybody knows it. It's the talk of the town.

### YEKEL

Just wait till I lead her under the wedding canopy, in God's good time. You'll
all get a whose goose apiece, and a pickerel just out of the water, and siver
pieces.

## POOR FOLKS

Silver pieces!

### THE BLIND WOMAN

And I tell you, it's just as if she had been brought up in a synagogue, -- Heaven
pardon the word in this place. So pure and modest. . . finer than any child of the most respectable family.

### THE OTHER WOMEN

Folks will learn all about it. It's the talk of the town.

### YEKEL

(distributing glasses of brandy. Blurts out,
before he realizes what he is saying)

Even though her father is Yekel Shepsovitch . . .

SARAH (giving out glasses)

Look at the people before whom he must boast:

6.

YEKEL

(pouring brandy into glasses. With passionate unrestraint)

It makes no different to me, -- poor or rich. Let everybody know, -- let the whole town know. What I am, I am. (Points to his wife). What she is, she is. . . It's all true, -- everything. But let them not breathe a word against my daughter. . . And if anyone dares to do so, I'll break his head with this bottle here. Even if it's the Rabbi himself, it'll make no difference to me! . . She's purer than his own daughter.

SARAH (stops passing around the brandy)

We've heard all that before... That's enough.
(Rubs her hands and goes to a corner for the broom.)
We must clean the room now for our guests.
(Turning to the poor folk)
You're not offended, I hope?

BLIND WOMAN

Not at all, hostess. May happiness and joy be yours forever. . .
(They leave the room singly, uttering profuse blessings.
Yekel, behind his wife's back, throws them more food.
Sarah speaks to Rifkele, loud enough for the others
to hear.

SARAH

Go, Rifkele, and prepare the robe for the Holy Scroll. Reb Ali will soon come, and the Scribe, too.
(Rifkele goes into her her)

SARAH (sweeping the floor)

To boast before such people! I tell you: . . . And otherwise, do you imagine they wouldn't have come to you? Make a celebration every day, and every day you'll have them here. In respectable houses people, know how to act so that they'll be looked up to. What do you think, -- they're all like you, with your "Hello, good brother!" right away?

YEKEL

Do you expect respectable folks to come to your home? Have you forgotten who you are?

SARAH

"Who you are": What! Have you stolen anything? You have a business. Everybody has his own business. You don't compel anybody, do you? You may deal in what you please, can't you, if you yourself do no wrong?: . . . Just try to give them some money, and see whether they'll take it from you or not!

YEKEL

They'll take it from you, all right, but they'll look upon you as a dog, just the same. . . . And at the synagogue you'll have to stand all the way back at the door, and they'll never call you up to the altar to hear a chapter read from the Holy Book.

7.

SARAH

Do you really believe that they're any better than you? You don't need their favors! . . . That's the way of the world these days: if you've got the money, even so pious a Jew as Reb Ali comes to your home, -- a Pietist, mind you, -- and accepts handsome alms from you. He asks no questions, -- whether you got it by theft or by murder. So long as you have the cash. That's the chief point!

YEKEL

Don't climb too high, Sara. Do you hear? Not too high. . . For if you do, some fine day you'll fall and break your neck.

(shakes a warning finger at her)

And don't try to break into the upper classes. Don't, I tell you. You've a home of your own, -- stay here. You've got bread, -- eat. But don't intrude where you're not wanted. . . Every dog must know his kennel.

(leaving the table, with a gesture of apprehension)

The whole business is beginning to make me uneasy. . . I'm afraid that this will bring the downfall of our hopes. . .

SARAH (stops her work, placing her arms akimbo.)

And you're a man! Shame yourself! I'm only a woman, but I can say to myself "The past has gone forever." Flown away! . . . There's nobody to be ashamed of. The whole world isn't any better. Why, if it were, people would have to go about with their heads bowed to the earth.

(Coming nearer to him.)

In a little while you'll have money. You close up shop and not a rooster crows. . Who needs to know what we were?

YEKEL (meditatively)

That would be best. . .

(Pause)

To buy a pack of horses and smuggled them across the border. . . And become a respectable person. . . not have people eye you like a thief. .

SARAH (considering the matter)

Just the same it's too bad to go out of our business . . . You'll never make such good money from your horses. Here, at least, it's all cash.

YEKEL.

No, no, no. I do wish I could get rid of it.

SARAH

(Goes into the next room, returns with a tray of plates and begins to arrange them upon the table.)

And just see what a daughter we have. Thank God, more decent than all the daughters of the best families in town. She'll marry some highly respected fellow, raise a respectable family. . . Isn't that so? Then what's wrong?

YEKEL (arising)

Yes, with an example like you as her guide. Go, let Manke steal up to her from downstairs. . . Have her here, in this room, all the time! You! :)

SARAH

Just see how he's carrying on: I once asked Manke to teach Rifkele how to
embroider on canvas. Rifkele is a young lady, you must remember. Has she any
companions at all? You don't let her step out into the street. . .

(Pause)

If you don't want her to have anything to do with Manke, then she won't.

YEKEL (interrupts)

I don't want her to: Do you hear! I don't! I don't want my home to mix with downstairs.

(Points to the cellar)

My home must be kept apart from that place: Understand? Just like trayf and kosher: Below

(indicating the cellar)

is a brother, and here lives a pure girl, worthy of marrying the best of men.

Do you hear?

(bangs his fist upon the table)

A pure, virtuous maiden lives here! Keep the two places apart: . . .

(Footsteps are heard outside)

SARAH

All right. Just as you say. Only don't make such a racket.

(Listening)

Hush. People are coming. It's Rob Ali, and the Scribe.

(She thrusts her hair back underneath her wig and pulls off her apron. Yekel strokes his beard and straightens his coat. Both stand by the door, expectantly. . . The door opens wide. Enter Shloyme and Hindel. The first wears long boots and a short coat. He is a knavish fellow, whose eyes blink with stealthy cunning as he speaks. The second is a rather old girl, with a wan face and wearing clothes much too young for her years. Shloyme and Hindel are evidently at ease and feel at home.)

YEKEL (to Sarah)

Take a look at these guests of mine, will you? (To Shlyme) I do no business here. Down below.

(Pointing to the cellar)

I'll be down right away.

SHLOME

What's the hurry to get rid of us? Are you already ashamed of our company?

YEKEL

Well, what have you got to say for yourself?

9.

SHOLYME

You're having a celebration today, aren't you? So we came in to wish you good luck.

SARAH

Look at our "old friends", will you?

YEKEL

That was all once upon a time. From today on, -- all over! You want to talk business with me? All right. But everything downstairs.

(Indicating the basement)

Here I don't know you, nor do you know me, -- from now on. However, you're welcome to a glass of brandy.

(Pours out brandy)

But be quick. Somebody might come. Now, hurry, hurry, hurry.

SHLOYME (taking his glass, speaks to Hindel roguishly)

You see? It's a great thing to get married. You become a somebody, on a par with everybody else. And you have Scrolls of the Law written.

(To Yekel)

Yes, and I've really taken an example from you and have today become engaged to this thing here. (Points to Hindel) She'll make a dandy housewife, eh? You'll see. She'll put on a wig and she'll be the living image of a Rabbi's wife. As true as we're alive. . .

YEKEL

Is that so? You're engaged, are you? And when will the wedding take place?

SARAH

Just see with whom he's stopped to talk! It really becomes him! With outcasts, God forgive my words. Reb Ali and the Scribe will be here at any moment.

(Yekel picks up plate)

SHLOYME

When'll the wedding take place, you ask? When does one of our kind ever have a wedding? When we'll get a couple of girls we'll get married and open a house of our own. Certainly not a Rabbi.

YEKEL

And what do you want of me, I'd like to know?

SHLOYME

What do I want of you? I mere trifle. (Point to Hindel)

She's your woman, isn't she? And she's my sweetheart. She has a claim upon you.

(Takes from Hindel her wage-book)

From this day on you'll have to deal with me. Today I ask a mere trifle. Ten on this book. (Slaps the book) It's good money, safe money.

10.

(Looking at Hindel)

She wants to buy herself a hat.

YEKEL

All downstairs. Down below. Here I don't even know you. Here I do no business
with you at all.

SHLOYME

It's all the same to me. Above or below. Downstairs live no strangers, nor
upstairs neither. Same thing.

YEKEL

Get a move on! Off with you! Do you hear? -- We're expecting people!

SARAH

A curse on them. They came here to spoil our celebration. . .

(Looks at Hindel with scorn)

It pays to have so much vexation over such a slut!

HINDEL

If I'm not good enough to be one of your women, go down into the cellar
yourself.

SHLOYME (to Hindel)

Tell her to send her daughter down there.

YEKEL (rushing toward Shloyme with a knife)

Curse me, -- do you hear?

(Point to Sarah)

Curse her, too. We're your kind. But don't dare to breathe my daughter's
name. (Coming closer to Shloyme) Don't dare to mention her name, or I'll
rip your bowels open, pimp. Do you hear? She doesn't know you, and you
don't know her!

SHLOYME

Then I will know her. She's the daughter of a fellow-tradesman.

(Yekel seizes Shlyme by the throat. They engage in a
struggle)

SARAH (running over to them)

A curse has been visited upon me! There he goes, starting a fight with such
low-lives! Somebody's liable to come in at any moment, woe is me. Yekel! --
Reb Ali and the Scribe. . . Yekel, for God's sake!

(Dragging him away from Shloyme)

What's come over you? (Heavy footsteps are heard outside) Yekel, Yekel! Reb
Ali is coming, -- the Scribe is here! This is a shame and a disgrace before
people!

(Yekel tightens his grasp upon Shloyme)

REB ALI'S VOICE

Right here, Scribe. This is the home of the Scroll's donor.

11.

(Reb Ali appears in the doorway, first thrusting in his head)

What's all the noise about? In the home of one who has a Scroll of the Law written, all must be joy and happiness. Not quarrelling.

(To the Scribe outside).

This way, please, Scribe.

(Yekel, at the sound of Reb Ali's voice, releases Shloyme. Sarah runs over to Shloyme and thrusts into his hand a piece of paper money which she has taken from her stocking. She shoves Hindel and Shloyme toward the door; the latter two encounter the Scribe and Reb Ali on the threshold. The pious men stand back from the woman, making way for her and Shloyme.)

SHLOYME (To Hindel, as they leave)

Take a peek at the folks he's hob-nobbing with these days. He'll become head of the town before long.

(They go off, conversing in indistinct tones.)

Reb Ali

(A fellow who speaks rapidly, making ingratiating gestures as he does so. He appears to be much at home, and evidently entertains a high opinion of himself.)

I beg your pardon, Scribe; I beg your pardon.

(quietly, to Yekel and Sarah)

You ought to act more decently.

(THE Scribe enters. A tall old man, whose long thin body is enveloped in a broad overcoat. His beard is long and white. He wears spectacles and has an air of cold aloofness and mystery.)

REB ALI (pointing to Yekel)

This is the donor of the Scroll.

THE Scribe

(professing his hand to Yekel, at the same time surveying him)

Greetings. Peace be to you, fellow Jew.

(YEKEL thrusts out his hand, uncertainly. SARAH reverently steps to one side.)

REB ALI

(takes a seat at the table and pushes a cahir over toward the Scribe)

Be seated, Scribe. (To Yekel) Take a seat.

(The Scribe sits down. Yekel, still uncertain, sits down opposite him, next to Reb Ali, away from the table. The latter addresses the Scribe.)

This is the gentleman on whose behalf I ordered the Holy Scroll.

(He helps himself to brandy, first pouring out a glass for the Scribe)

15A

12

He has no son, so he desires to do honor to the Lord with a Scroll of the Law. Such is the custom among the people of Israel, -- and a very beautiful one, too. So we must help him. . . Your health, Scribe.

(Gives his hand to the Scribe, then to Yekel)

Your health, host. Today you are the Master of Festivities.

(Yekel stretches out his hand, at a loss. Reb Ali drinks. Sarah approaches the table and pushes toward Reb Ali some jelly preserves. Yekel pulls her by the sleeve and signals her to withdraw from the table. Reb Ali, after drinking, turns to the Scribe.)

Drink, Scribe. (To Yekel) Drink, host. Today you must rejoice. God has favored you with the means of having a Holy Scroll written. It is a divine merit indeed. A very great one.

### THE Scribe
(holding his glass in his hand, to Reb Ali, referring to Yekel)

Who is this man?

### REB ALI

What is the difference? A Jew . . . And if he isn't a learned scholar, must all men be scholars? A Jew wants to earn a divine blessing. Then we must befriend him. (To Yekel) Drink a health. Here's joy to you.

### THE Scribe

Will he know how to take care of the Holy Scroll?

### REB ALI

And why not? He is a Jew, isn't it? And what Jew doesn't know the holy significance of a Scroll? (Drinks) Your health, your health. And may the Lord send His blessings to His people.

### THE Scribe (gives his hand to Yekel)

Your health, host. (Admonishing him). And know, that a Holy Scroll is a wondrous possession. The whole world rests upon a Scroll of the Law, and every Scroll is the exact counterpart of the tablets that were received by Moses upon Mount Sinai. Every line of a Holy Scroll is penned in purity and piety. . . Where dwells a Scroll, in such a house dwells God himself. . . So it must be guarded against every impurity. . . Man, you must know that a Holy Scroll . . .

### YEKEL (awed; he stammers)

Rebbi, Rebbi. . . I want to tell the Rebbi the whole truth, -- the honest truth. . . I am a poor sinner. . . Rebbi, I'm afraid. . .

### REB ALI (interrupting Yekel)

Let me talk. (To the Scribe) The man is a sincere penitent and it is our duty to befriend him. The Talmud counsels us to. Of course he understands the significance of a Holy Scroll. He's a Jew after all. (To Yekel) You must have reverence for a Scroll of the Law. Great reverence, -- precisely as if a noted Rabbi were under your roof. In the house where it resides no

13

profanity must be uttered. It must dwell amidst purity.

(Speaks to Sarah, looking toward her but not directly at her)
Wherever a Holy Scroll is sheltered, there no woman must remove her wig from her head. . . (Sarah thrusts her hair more securely under her wig) Now must she touch the Scroll with her bare hands. As a reward, no XXXXIV evil overtakes the home that shelters a Scroll. Such a home will always be properous and guarded against all misfortune. (To the Scribe) What do you imagine? --- That he doesn't know all this? They're Jews, after all. . .

(Sarah nods affirmatively)

## THE Scribe

You hear, fellow Jew, that the whole world rests upon the Scroll. The fate of our race lies rolled up in that parchment. With one word, -- with a single word, God forbid, you can desecrate the Law and bring down upon all the Jews a grievous misfortune, --- God forbid.

## YEKEL (arising from the table)

Rabbi, I'll confess everything. . . Rebbi (Comes nearer to Reb Ali) I know that you are a holy man. I am not worthy, Rebbi, of your presence in this house. . . under my roof. . . Rebbi, I am a sinner. She (pointing to his wife) is a sinner. We have no right to a Holy Scroll. . . Inside that room.

(Pointing to the door at the right)

There I have a daughter, Reb Aaron. For her sake, Rebbi. . .
(Goes into Rifkele's room and returns, leading her by the hand, She holds a velvet cover of a Scroll, upon which she is embroidered a David's crown in gold thread.)

Rebbi, she (pointing to Rifkele) may go about a Holy Scroll. She is as pure as the Holy Law itself. It is for her that I ordered it. (Indicating her embroidery) See, Rebbi, she's embroidering a cover for the Scroll. She may, Rebbi, for her hands are pure. I, Rebbi (striking himself over the heart) I promise not to touch your Holy Law. She (pointing to his wife) will not touch your Holy Scroll. SHE

(reaching his hand upon Rifkele's head)

will carry it. In will be placed in her room. (To Rifkele) And when you are married and leave my roof, take the Scroll of the Law with you to your husband's home. . .

## REB ALI, to Yekel

In other words, when you marry off your daughter, you'll give her the Holy Scroll as her dowry. Isn't that it?

## YEKEL

Reb Ali, when my daughter is married, I'll give her as a dowry a pile of money, and I'll say to her: "Go out of your father's house and forget. . . forget your father. . . forget your mother. . . and have pure children, Jewish children, just like every Jewish daughter." That's what I'll say to her.

## REB ALI

That is, you will present the Holy Scroll as a wedding-gift to your son-in-law. That's the idea, isn't it? (To the Scribe). Do you see, Reb Aaron, there are still pious Jews in the world; here's a man with a daughter, and has a Scroll of the Law written for her future husband. . . How beautiful that is, -- how virtuous. . . I tell you, Reb Aaron, that the spirit of Israel, the Jewish

14.

spark. . . the. . . ahenm. . . ah! . . ah! . .

YEKEL

(leads Rifkele back into her room. He closes
the door after her.)

Rebbi, I can speak plainly to you. We're alone. My wife may hear it, too. We are sinners. I know, God will punish us. Let Him punish. Let Him cripple me; let Him make me a pauper, so that I'll have to go begging from door to door. . . Anything but that. . . (More softly) I am a plain ignorant man. I was never sent to school. Rebbi, when a man has a son who goes to the bad -- the devil take him. But a daughter, Rebbi. If a daughter falls, it is as if the mother had sinned in her grave. So I went to the holy synagogue and approached this man (pointing to Reb Ali) and I said to him: "Give me something that'll guard my home, my child from evil." . . . So he said to me: "Have a Holy Scroll written and place it in your home." Rebbi, as for us, our souls belong to the devil anyway. . . For her, and in her room I'll place the Scroll; for her to have as a companion. As for us, we dare not, we must not. . .

(Reb Ali bends over to the Scribe, whispers something to him, making various gestures and pointing to Yekel. The latter and Sarah stand at the table in tense expectancy. Pause.)

REB ALI

Please, Reb Aaaron, don't leave him. He is a penitent sinner. We must help him. Sit down. . . Sit down.

THE Scribe (after brief consideration)

And where are the guests in honor of the Holy Scroll?

REB ALI

We'll go to the synagogue and gather a quorum of Jews. It'll be easy enough
to find men who are willing to honor the Law.

(Arises from the bable, pours brandy into the glasses, slapping
Yekel on the shoulder.)

There, there! God will help you! Rejoice, host! The Lord be friends the sincere penitent. . . Don't worry. You'll marry your daughter to some proficient scholar; you'll take some poor Yeshiva student for a son-in-law, and support him while he sits and studies the Holy Law. And the blessings of the Law will win you the Lord's forgiveness.

(Pause)

I've really been thinking about it, and have a certain fellow in view, -- a
jewel of a chap, -- smart head on his shoulders. . . his father is a highly
respected man. (Abruptly) Are you going to give your daughter a large dowry?

YEKEL

Rebbi, take away all I own. I'll let you strip me bare. . . Take everything, everything. . . And I'll send her and her husband all they need, in a roundabout way. "Here's your food and drink, keep on studying in your holy books. . . I don't know you. . . you don't know me. . ."

REB ALI

Everything will be all right, in the virtue of the Scroll. . . (To the Scribe)

Do you see, Reb Aaron? A Jew, even if he sins, still remains a Jew. A Jewish soul -- seeks a pious scholar for a son-in-law. . . (To Yekel) Never you mind. Don't worry. God will help you. . . The Lord loves a repentant sinner. But you must give generous donations to the students of the Law. If you cannot study the Law yourself, at least support those who can, for the whole world rests upon the Holy Law. . . (To the Scribe) Is that not so, Reb Aaron? And why not? (Pointing to Yekel) I knew his father. . . He was a fine man. . . a teamster. . . handsome chap. . . Believe me, the Lord will come to his aid, and he will become a Jew as worthy as any other. (To Yekel) The important thing is to repent, --huh, deep in your heart, -- that is, you must abandon the path of iniquity that you've followed hitherto. . . and you must contribute liberally to the support of the students of the Holy Word.

YEKEL
(summoning courage, he approached Reb Ali)

Just let me make a little more money, Reb Ali, so that I can give my daughter a handsome dowry, and the whole business may go to the devil. I'll become a respectable person. I'll deal in horses, just as my father did, may his soul rest in peace. And my son-in-law will be sitting studying the sacred Law. I'll come down for the Sabbath and listen to him reading from the Commentaries.
(The Rabbi rises from the table)
And if I lie, may God punish me.

REB ALI

Don't worry. It's all right. The Lord will come to your aid. Yes, God will help you. Isn't that so, Reb Aaron?

THE Scribe (standing)

Who can tell? Our Lord is a God of mercy and forgiveness, but He is also a God of retribution and vengeance. (leaving) Well, it's getting late. Let's be off to the synagogue.
(leaves.)

YEKEL

What did the Rebbi mean?

REB ALI

It's all right. Don't worry. God will help you. . . He must help you. . . Come, come and take your Holy Scroll home in rejoicing.
(About to depart. Yekel hesitates, undecided. Reb Ali notices this.) Well, what are you waiting for? What? You want to tell your wife, -- to prepare for our return with the Scroll?

SARAH, (to Reb Ali)

Everything's ready, Reb Ali. Everything.

REB ALI

Well, what are you waiting for? The Scribe has already gone.

YEKEL
(at the door, uncertain, pointing to himself)
I, walk together with the Rabbi, through the streets?

16.

REB ALI

Come, come. If the Lord pardons you, surely we may do so, too.

YEKEL, (enthusiastically)

Reb Ali, you're a good Rebbi.

(About to embrace Reb Ali; suddenly recalls himself and draws back.)

A good Rebbi, may I live so!

(Reb Ali and Yeğel leave together. The evening shadows gather.)

SARAH

(Betakes herself assiduously to cleaning the room and setting the table. Calls into Rifkele's room)

Rifkele, Rifkele, come in and help me out a bit. They'll soon be coming with the Holy Scroll.

RIFKELE

(appears on the threshold of her door, uncertain)

Has father left already?

SARAH

Yes. He went to the synagogue with Reb Ali and the Scribe. The Rabbi will soon be coming, and other guests, too.

RIFKELE

(showing the cover for the Holy Scroll)

See how nicely I've embroidered it.

SARAH

Yes, yes. I see. But comb your hair. Dress yourself. The guests will soon be here. The Rabbi and...

RIFKELE

I'll call up Manke and have her comb me. . . I love to have her comb me.

(Takes something and taps the floor with it, calling)

Manke: Manke!

SARAH (frightened)

Rifkele: What are you doing? Don't! Your father will be furious! It isn't becoming for you to chum with Manke. You're already a marriageable young lady, a virtuous child. And we've just been talking about some good matches for you,--excellent matches with learned scholars. . .

RIFKELE

But I do love Manke so much'.

SARAH

It's a shame for you to chum with Manke, I tell you! You are a decent girl;

17.

you'll have clean, respectable girls to go around with. . . We're arranging a match for you, an excellent match. You father's just gone to see the bridegroom, Reb Ali said, . . . (Goes into the next room)

We must wash, dress, and put on our best clothes. . . The guests will be here at any moment.

## RIFKELE

A bridegroom? What kind of bridegroom, mamma dear?

SARAH (from the other room)

A sweetheart, -- a golden one. A wonderful student, of a fine family.

(Manke enters. Embraces Rifkele. The room is fast growing dark.)

RIFKELE (to her mother)

A handsome sweetheart, mamma dear?

(She and Manke walk to the table)

SARAH (from within)

Yes, daughter dear. A Handsome sweetheart, with two jet-black temple-hocks and a satin coat, and a velvet skull-cap, dressed just like a Rabbi. He's a Rabbi's son, Reb Ali said.

## RIFKELE

(seated, Manke combs her hair) and kisses hand)

And will he love me, mamma dear!

SARAH (as before)

Ever so much, daughter dear, ever so much. And you'll have pure, respectable children, virtuous children. . .

## SLOW CURTAIN

falling as they speak.

## ACT II.

Scene: In the cellar brothel. A spacious basement in an old building; low-arched ceiling; high up on the wall, close to the ceiling, narrow window. The rain is coming in through the windows. A flight of stairs leads to the door above, which is constructed like that of the entrance to a cabin on board ship. Half of the door is ajar, revealing the gloom of the night. Rain drips down. In the background of the cellar, several small compartments, separated from one another by thin partitions, and screened by thick curtains. One of the compartments has been drawn aside; in the compartment are seen a bed, a washstand, a mirror and various toilet articles. A colored night-lamp sheds a dim light over the tiny room. The furniture of the cellar itself consists of several lounges, a table, benches and card-tables; on the walls, looking-glasses bedecked with gaudy ornaments.

On one of the lounges sleeps Shloyme; his long boots reach to a nearby bench. It is a night in spring.

The room is lighted by a large hanging-lamp.

### HINDEL

(Enters. Halts for a moment upon the top stair and looks down at Shloyme. She is wrapped in a thin shawl. Descends into the cellar, stepping noisily so as to wake Shloyme.)

SHLOYME (awakes, Looks around)

So it's you, is it? Why aren't you outside?

### HINDEL

It's begun to rain.

SHLOYME (sitting up)

So you deign to answer me, mildly? Have you, then, forgiven me?

### HINDEL

I wasn't angry in the first place.

### SHLOYME

Well, if you wish, you can get angry again, for all I care. (Lies down)

### HINDEL

(Looks around. Runs over to one of the screened compartments and listens, then runs back to Shloyme.)

Shloyme: See, now we're all alone and nobody can hear us. Tell me, as truly as there is a God in heaven, --- tell me, do you really mean to marry me?

### SHLOYME

Go, my grand dame. Make knots in your shirt and hide your money there, and then run to "Uncle" Yekel and complain that I take all your earnings, -- that you haven't even enough to buy yourself a hat. . .

23A

19.

## HINDEL

Yes, I did tell him that. It made me furious and cut me to the quick, -- to have you tear the very clothes off my back and then go and make eyes at that yellow bitch. . . A fine young lady he's hunted out for himself!

## SHLOYME

Away from me! I'll give you such a crack between the eyes that you'll see your great-great-grandfather's ghost!

## HINDEL

Crack away!

(Pushing up one of her sleeves and showing him her arm)
You've covered me with black and blue marks. (baring her other arm)
Here, pinch, slash, whatever you will. But tell me, here on this very spot,
by the memory of your father -- will you really marry me?

SHLOYME (still stretched out)

Once I wanted to. Now I don't.

## HINDEL

Then it's no. That's the way I like to do things. Only no deceit. Do you want money? --- Say the word. A coat? -- Here's the price. Only not fooling me. (Walks off)

## SHLOYME

That's all right. There are plenty of sweethearts. You'll catch your fish, all right.

## HINDEL

Don't give yourself any worry on my account.

## SHLOYME

You object, do you? Have it your way.

(Pause) (Lights cigarett)

But you're not too angry to pur a fellow a glass of tea, are you?

## HINDEL

(fetches him a glass of tea and places it upon the cellar table. She then returns to her place and sits down before her trunk of clothes, as if looking for something. After a brief silence she addresses Shloyme, from her compartment. Laughing)

So you like her, eh? . . . Well. . . well. . . You'll soon be busy, all right, --- (crosses back to compartment). Then you can hire a barrel-organ and take her around people's backyards. A fine hurdy-gurdyman you'd make, upon my word. I'll throw you a two-kopek piece from the window, I promise. (Laugs)

## SHLOYME

Hold you tongue, I tell you!

20.

## HINDEL

And what'll you do if I don't?

## SHLOYME

I'll knock you dead.

## HINDEL

Ho,ho! There's no beating folks these days. Nowadays a beating is answered with a knife.

SHLOYME (springing to his feet)

And who'll do that?

(Striding into Hindel's compartment)

Who'll do the knifing, eh? (He struggles with her, tearing from her grasp a

(shawl. He returns to the cellar.)

Now we'll see. (He shakes the shawl.) (A photograph falls to the floor.)

Aha! Moyshe the locksmith! So that's your hero, is it? And since when have you become so thick with him?

(Goes back to her room)

## HINDEL

What business is that of yours?

SHLOYME (going into her room off stage)

That is what business it is of mine!

(He gives her a few hard slaps; she begins to weep.)

So you're going around with Moyshe the locksmith, are you? Exchanging photographs, eh? A regular pair of sweethearts! And all behind my back:

(Silence. He returns to his table.)

And I knew nothing about it. . .

(Drinks more tea, arises, and mounts the stairs.)

(He stops at the door. Slams it. Hindel stops crying. He slams it again and Hindel begins to cry again.)

Hindel: (She does not answer.)

Hindel: Come here this instant. (No reply) Hindel: (He stamps his foot)

Come here, I tell you. Do you hear what I say!

(HINDEL comes from her room and walks over to him, hiding her face in her handkerchief.)

## SHLOYME

Enough: (Goes over and sits on chair.)

(HINDEL gradually goes over on his lap)

## SHLOYME

Have you spoken to Manke?

HINDEL (whimpering)

Yes.

SHLOYME

Well, what does she say?

21.

HINDEL (still crying)

If we'll have our own "house", she'll come to us.

SHLOYME

Sure?

HINDEL (drying her eyes)

Yes. (Shloyme kisses her). But she doesn't want to come alone. She wants to bring a chum.

SHLOYME

Certainly.

HINDEL

We ought to have a fresh young girl...

SHLOYME

Then we'd do business! But where can we get her?

HINDEL

I've got my eye on one -- as beautiful as the day, and still untouched.

SHLOYME (curious)

Can we get her for the business?

HINDEL

I should say so!

SHLOYME

A girl... from a "house"?

HINDEL

No, A pure maiden.

SHLOYME

How do you come to know her?

HINDEL

She comes to Manke every night. Steals out of her home. Nobody sees her. Something seems to draw her here. ... she is so inquisitive...

RUFKELE

(thrusting her bare head through the window)

P-s-s-! Is my father down there?

HINDEL

No.

RUFKELE (disappears from the window)

SHLOYME

She: "Uncle" Yekel's daughter: A genuine gold-mine!

HINDEL

Hush! She's coming.

RUFKELE

(slender and beautiful; short dress to her knews comes through

22.

24

the door, down the stairs.)

Where is Manke? There? (Pointing to a screened compartment.)
There, with. . .?

HINDEL

(Nods "yes".)

(RIFKELE approaches the curtain of Manke's room and listens in)

SHLOYME

(very softly, to Hindel)

Tomorrow we must go and take a look at that house on Pivna Street.

HINDEL

And when shall we be married?

SHLOYME

First we've got to have a home.

HINDEL

I wonder how much the Rabbi will ask for performing the ceremony.

SHLOYME

As long as there's enough left to buy some furniture with. The place must
make a decent showing.

(The door is suddenly banged open and Yekel bursts in.)

YEKEL

(Dressed in dignified, orthodox fashion. Removes his hat
and shakes the rain from it.)

A fine business! It has to rain! Drinking tea, -- smoking and all for
my money. Hindel, get the keys.

(Suddenly noticing Rifkele, he explodes with rage.)

Rifkele: What! You here!

(Seizes her by the collar and shakes her, clinching his teeth.)

What are you doing here?

RIFKELE (terrified, stammering.

Mam. . . Mamma sent me. . .

(Bursting into tears)

Papa, don't hit me!

YEKEL

Your mother. . . your mother sent you. . . here! (With a loud cry) Your mother!

(Beating her as she runs upstairs)

She'll lead you to ruin yet!

RIFKELE (crying)

Papa, don't hit me!

YEKEL

I'll teach you to mind your father! (Rifkele's crying is heard from without.)

23.

SHLOYME

There's a vituous father for you! It doesn't become his dignity for his
daughter to be one of us.

(Through the ceiling is heard a noise of angry stamping,
and the weeping of a woman.)

He must be giving it to his wife now, all right! Biff! Bang!

HINDEL

He's right. A mother should guard her daughter well. . . Whatever you were,
you were, but once you marry and have a child, watch over it. . . Just wait.

If God should bless us with children, I'll know how to bring them up. My
daughter will be as pure as a saint, with cheeks as red as beets. . .

SHOLOYME

We'll see about that later. But talk to Rifkele in the meantime. Work upon
her, I say. Otherwise everything's lost.

HINDEL

Don't you worry about my part. I'll know how to go about it.

SHLOYME

We'll see, then. (Silence) If you land her, bring her right to me. You know. . .

YEKEL (outside)

You, a mother, do you want your daughter to be what her mother was? I'll have
a reckoning with you later.

(enters) - in anger

Get out -- get a move on. Get out. Hindel, get the keys, time to close up!

(Mounts the steps, opens the door and calls)

Reizel: Basha: Time to go to sleep!

(From without are heard girls' voices: "Soon, Right away!")

(HINDEL points to Yekel and signals Shloyme to leave)

SHLOYME (as he is about to go out, comes
face to face with Yekel. They eye each other.)

YEKEL

Get a move on. Time to close up. You've played at weddings long enough.

SHLOYME

(Thrusting his hands into his trousers pocket. Looks
sharply at Yekel)

Since when have you become such a respectable personage?

YEKEL

Off with you, now. Get a move on. I'll tell you later.

24.

260

SHLOYME

Ah -- go to hell!

HINDEL (to Shloyme)

Shloyme, go home.

(SHLOYME leaves with a definat glance at Yekel)

YEKEL (calling into the entry)

Raizel! Basha!

(Enter two girls, running. Rain is dripping from their wet, filmy dresses and from their unbraided hair. They are in a merry mood and speak with laughter. Yekel leaves, slamming the door behind him.)

BASHA

(Naive in manner; she speaks with a harsh accent)

What a sweet odor the rain has! . . . (Shaking raindrops off her clothes)
Just like the apples at home drying, in the lofts. This is the first May
rain.

YEKEL

Put out the lights, have done with your babbling. If I could ly
get rid of all that.

REIZEL

Yes -- Yes.

HINDEL

Such a crazy idea: to stand in the rain. As if they'll attract the whole
world. . . Nobody'd ever show up in a downpour like this. . .

(Goes into her compartment and sits down near her trunk,
packing various articles.)

REIZEL (shaking off raindrops)

To the deuce with the whole lot of them. I paid my account the day before yesterday. . . We were standing under the shed, the rain is so fragrant. . . It washes the whole winter off your head . . .

(Goes over to Hindel, teasing her)

Just look. . . (Showing her wet hair) How fresh it is, , how sweet it smells. . .

BASHA

At home, in my village, the first sorrel must be sprouting. Yes, at the first
May rain they cook sorrel soup. . . And the goats must be grazing in the
meadows. . . And the rafts must be floating on the stream. . . And Franek
is getting the Gentile girls together, and dancing with them at the inn. . .

(Basha dances and Reizel sings)

And the women must surely be baking cheese-cakes for the Feast of Weeks.

(Silence)

Do you know what? I'm going to buy myself a new summer tippet and go home

25.

for the holiday s. . .

(Runs into her room, brings out a large summer hat and a long veil; she places the hat upon her wet hair and surveys herself in the looking-glass.)

Just see! If I'd ever come home for the holidays rigged up in this style, and promenade down to the station. . . Goodness! They'd just burst with envy. Wouldn't they? If only I weren't afraid of my father!

REIZEL

Why? Would he hurt you?

BASHA

He'd kill me on the spot. He's on the hunt for me with a crowbar. Once he caught me dancing with Franek at the village tavern and he gave me such a rap over the arm with a rod (showing her arm) that I carry the mark to this very day.

HINDEL

That's nothing, look at my arms.

REIZEL

Shloyme.

BASHA (continuing)

I come from a fine family. My father is a butcher. Talk about the fellows that were after me! (In a low voice) They tried to make a match between me and Nottke the meat-chopper. I've got his gold ring still. (Indicating a ring on her finger) He gave it to me at the Feast of Tabernacles. Maybe he wasn't wild to marry me, -- but I didn't care to.

REIZEL

Why didn't you care to?

BASHA

Because I didn't. . . He always smelled ox meat. . . Ugh! His name is Pshorik. Think of marrying Pshorik and having a little Pshorik every year! Ugh!

REIZEL

And how is it any better for you here?

BASHA

Here, at least, I'm a free person. I've got my chest of finery, and dress swell. Better clothes, upon my word, than the rich daughters of my village. . .

(Fetching from her compartment a brown dress.)

When I go walking on Marshalkovski street in this dress they all stare at me. (Whistles). Mm: If I could only show up in my home town dressed in this fash ion, here's how I'd promenade to the station.

(Struts across the room like a lady of fashion, raising her skirt at the back and assuming a cosmopolitan air.)

They'd die of jealousy, I tell you. . . They'd be stricken with apoplexy on the spot.

(Prominades about the room playing the grand dame)

26

REIZEL

(straightens the folds of Basha's dress in the back and adjusts her hat to a better angle)

That's the way! Now raise your head a bit higher... Who needs to know that you were ever in a place of this sort? You'll tell them that you were with a big business house. A Count has fallen in love with you...

HINDEL

(from her room, where she is still busy with her chest of clothes)

And what's the matter with a place of this sort, I'd like to know? Aren't we every bit as good as the girls in the business houses? The whole world is like that nowadays; that's what the world demands. In these days even the daughters of the best families aren't any better. This is our way of earning a living. And believe me, when one of us gets married, she's more faithful to her husband than any of the others. We know what a man is. We know how to appreciate a husband.

BASHA (still strutting about the room)

Do you imagine they wouldn't recognize me right away? They would know...
You know, my mother died from the shock... She couldn't live through it...
To this day I haven't visited her grave...

(Suddenly comes to a halt)

Sometimes she comes before me... At night I see her in my dreams. She appears to me in her shroud, covered with thorns and briers, because of my sins. And she pulls me by the hair.

REIZEL

Oh, mother! And did you really see her? How does she look, your dead mother?
Is she pale?

HINDEL

Shut up, will you? Late at night they have to start telling stories about the dead. No dead people can come here. Our boss has a Holy Scroll upstairs...
(A sudden hush)

What's wrong about our trade, I'd like to know!

(She leaves her little room and goes into the cellar)

Wasn't our mistress in a house like this for fifteen years? Yet she married. And isn't she a respectable, God-fearing woman? ... And isn't her RIFELE a pure child? And isn't our boss a respectable man? Isn't he generous? Doesn't he give the biggest donations to charity? ... And he's had a Holy Scroll written...

REIZEL (crosses to Hindel)

But they say that you mustn't read from such a Holy Scroll, and that the daughter of such mothers become what the mothers themselves were. ... that something draws them on like a magnet, and that the Evil Spirit drags them down into the mire...

HINDEL (frightened)

Who said that?

REIZEL

An old fortune-teller, -- a sorceress told it to me. ... it's as if such a daughter

27

were in the power of an enchantment...

## HINDEL

That's a rotten lie! ... Where's the old gypsy who told you that? ... I'd scratch her eyes out for her! There is a God in heaven, I say! We have a God in Heaven.

## MANKE

(walks from her compartment into the cellar. She is half-dressed, with a kimona on her. Her colored stockings are visible.)

What? Nobody here?

REIZE (to Manke)

Manke? It's a good thing you came. (Pointing to Hindel) She's almost made a Rabbi's wife of me. Where have you left your guest?

## MANKE

Bah? He's a fool. Third time he's come. And he keeps asking me, who's my father, who's my mother, -- as if he intended to marry me. ...
(Looks around. In a low voice, to Hindel.)
Hasn't Rifkele been here yet?

HINDEL (with a soft laugh)

She was here. . . and her father caught her. . . and maybe he didn't raise a rampus. . .

## MANKE

Good heavens! How long since?

## HINDEL

Quite a while ago. . . He must be asleep by now. (Softly) She'll surely be down again soon.

REIZEL (to Manke, in a merry mood)

Came, Manke, let's go out into the street. It's raining. The drops are like pearls. . . The first May shower. Who's coming out with me for a rain bath?

MANKE (approaching the window.)

It's raining. And what a thin drizzle. And how sweet it smells...

## Basha

At home when we have a shower like this the gutters run over and flood the narrow lanes. And we take off our shoes and stockings and dance in the rain barefoot. . . Who's going to take off her shoes? (Removes her shoes and stockings) Take off your shoes, and let's dance in the rain!

REIZEL (removes her stocking)

BASHA (runs over)

Come, Let's us splash each other. . . Let's sprinkle handfuls of raindrops over each other. Let's drench our hair just like the trees. . . Come!

28.

## HINDEL

Wiat. Wait. "Uncle" isn't asleep yet. He might hear us.

(All listen, their ears directed to the ceiling)

## REIZEL

Come along! Can't you hear him snoring?

## MANKE

Wait. . . We'll tap softly for Rifkele.

(Basha and Reizel go out. Manke takes a stick and taps in a corner of the ceiling, very softly. From outside comes the noise of the girls skipping about in the water. They take handfuls of rain-drops and throw them in through the open window, calling, "Where's Manke")

## RIFKELE

(thrusts her head through the window. She is in her night clothes. She whispers cautiously)

Manke. Manke!

## HINDEL

She 's here.

## RIFKELE

Did you call me?

## MANKE

(Takes a chair and places it under the window; stands upon it and reaches to Rifkele's hand)

Yes, Rifkele, I called you. . . Come, we'll stand in the May rain, splash water over each other and grow taller. . .

## RIFKELE (from above)

Hush! Speak more softly. I stole out of bed. So that pa wouldn't hear me. I'm afraid, -- that he'll beat me.

## MANKE

Don't be afraid of your father. He won't wake up so soon. Come, let's rather stand in the rain. I'll let your hair down. And I'll wash it for you in the rain. Just like this.

## RIFKELE

I have only a nightgown on. All night I lay in bed waiting for my father to fall asleep, so that I might steal out to you. I heard your tapping and sneaked down. So softly, barefoot, -- so that my father shouldn't hear. . .

## MANKE

Come, Rifkele, I'll wash your eyes in the rainwater. The night is so beautiful, the rain is so warm and the air is so full of delightful fragrance. Come.

29.

31

Read
only
this

## RIFKELE

Hush... hush... I'm afraid of my father... He beat me... He locked the door... And hid the key near the Holy Scroll. I lay awake all night... I heard you call me... You called me so softly... And something drew me so irresistibly to you... and I stole the key from the Scroll... My heart pounded so wildly... so wildly...

## MANKE

Wait, Rifkele, I'm coming right out to you.

(Jumps down from the chair and runs up the stairs)

I'm coming out to you. Just a moment and I'm with you.

(She leaves)

## HINDEL

(from the curtain of her compartment she has been listening very intently to the conversation between Manke and Rifkele. She is wrapt in thought and mutters to herself very slowly.)

If I can only get both of them, Rifkele and Manke, this very night... I'll take them directly to Shloyme's... And I'll say to him, "Here you are. Here's your bread and butter. Now rent a place, marry me, and become a respectable man as well as any other."

(Stops abruptly. Raises her hands toward the ceiling.)

Father in Heaven, you are a Father to all orphans... Mother in your grave, pray for me... Let my troubles come to an end. Let me at last be settled in my own home! ...

(Pause)

Father in Heaven... Mother, play in my behalf... don't be silent... pray for me... do your very best for me...

(She returns to her compartment and begins hastily to pack her things)

I can be ready, anyway.

(A long pause. The stage is empty. Soon Manke leads in Rifkele. Hindel, behind her curtain, listens as before.)

## MANKE

(Speaks softly, with deep resonance)

Are you cold, Rifkele, darling? Warm yourself next to me. So. Come, let's sit down.

(Leads Rifkele to a chair; they sit down.)

Just like this... Now rest your head snugly in my bosom. So. Just like that.

(Pause)

And I let down your hair so... (Runs her fingers through Rifkele's hair.)

And I held it like this in the rain and washed it. How sweet it smells...

Like the rain itself...

(She buries her face in Rifkele's hair.)

Yes, I can smell the scent of the May rain in them... So light, so fine... And fresh... as the grass on the meadows... as the apple on the bough...

So. Cool me, refresh me with your tresses. So. But wait, ... I'll come to you as if you were a bride... a nice part and two long black braids. Wait Rifkele, wait a second.

(Reflects for a moment)

32

30.

Do you want to go away from here with me? We'll be together days and nights
at a time. Your father won't be there, nor your mother. . . Nobody'll scold
you. . . or beat you. . . We'll be all by ourselves. . . For days at a time.
We'll be so happy. Will you come, Rifkele?

## RIFKELE

And my father won't know?

## MANKE

No. We'll run away this very night, -- with Hindel, to her house. . . She has
a house with Shloyme, she told me. You'll see how nice everything will be. . .
Young folks will be there a plenty, -- army officers. . . and we'll be together,
all by ourselves for days at a time. Will you come, Rifkele?

RIFKELE (trembling with excitement)

And papa won't hear?

## MANKE

No, no. He won't hear. He's sleeping so soundly. . . There, can't you hear
him snoring?

(Runs over to Hindel's compartment and seizes Hindel by the arm)

Have you got a place? Come! Take us away at once!

## HINDEL

Yes, yes. To Shloyme's, right away!

(She throws a dress over Rifkele)

He'll find us a place quickly enough. (hastily dressing Rifkele)

## MANKE

You'll see how nice everything'll be. . . What a jolly time we'll have.

How you're trembling!

(Slowly they ascend the steps. They encounter Reizel and
Basha who are just returning to the cellar. Reizel and
Basha look at the others in surprise.)

REIZEL and BASHA (together, at the door)

What's this? Where are you going?

## MANKE

Hush! Don't make any noise.

## HINDEL

We're going for some beer, -- and lemonade. . .

(Hindel, Manke and Rifkele leave, followed by the
amazed glances of Reizel and Basha)

## REIZEL

There's something suspicious about this that I don't like.

31.

Same here.

BASHA

REIZEL

Something's up. . . Good heavens!

BASHA (stares at Reizel in fright)

What? You mean *that*?

REIZEL

It's none of our business. Let's put the lights out and go to sleep. We know
nothing about it.

(Turns down the wick of the lamp. The stage is bathed in
gloom. The girls go to their respective compartments.)

That fortune-teller was certainly right, I tell you. She certainly was right!

(She disappears. For a moment the stage is empty and in
darkness.)

(Basha, comes running wildly from her room, with a hysterical
outray. She is in night clothes.)

REIZEL

(thrusting aside the curtain of her compartment)

What's the matter, Basha?

BASHA

I'm afraid to go to sleep. I feel that the ghost of my mother, with her
thorns and her briers, is hovering about my room.

REIZEL

The Holy Scroll has been defiled. We have no one to shield us now!

BASHA

I'm afraid this is going to be a terrible night. My heart's thumping.

(Suddenly, from above, a din is heard. There is scraping of
chairs and tables. The girls, eyes distended with fear,
listen intently. Soon there is the sound of someone coming
down the outside stairs.)

YEKEL (outside)

Rifkele, Rifkele! Where is she? What are you doing out in the rain?

REIZEL (to Basha)

Let's lie down in our beds and pretend we're fast asleep. . . We know nothing
at all, remember!

(Both go to their beds and feign deep sleep)

YEKEL

(Rushes into the cellar, a burning match in his hand.
His hair is in disorder. He shouts wildly)

Rifkele! Rifkele! Is Rifkele here?

33.

ACT III.

Scene: Same as Act I. The cupboard and the bureau have been knocked out of place. Clothes and linen are strewn about the floor. The door to Rifkele's room is open, and from within the light of a candle comes across the stage.

Sarah, her hair dishevelled and her clothes in disarray, is on the floor on her knees as the curtain goes up. Slowly she rises and goes about the room picking up the things that lie scattered about, putting most of the articles back into their proper places.

It is early morning. Through the closed shutters penetrates their gray light of coming day.

34.

SARAH (crying softly, but histerically)

Yekel: What's the matter with you, Yekel?

(Goes over to the door of Rifkele's room and looks inside)

Why are you sitting there like that?

(Turns back and continues to collect the scattered things.)

What a misfortune! He wants to bring the whole house to ruin!

(Returns to Rifkele's room)

Yekel: Why are you so silent? (Turns back, tearfully) Did you ever see? A person sits down before the Holy Scroll and thinks and thinks. What is there to think about? A misfortune has befallen us; all right. Go to the police, see the captain. . . Seek out the man by hook or crook. . . There is yet time.

(Returns to the door, tapping with foot)

Why don't you say something? (She sits down upon a bundle of clothes on the bed.) He sits there like a madman, staring at the Holy Scroll and mumbling.

He neither sees nor hears. (Arises, to Yekel)

It makes no difference to me, -- one place or another. If you want me to go, all right. I'll go. The devil won't take me. . . I'll earn my bread, all right, wherever I may be.

(Resumes her packing, silently. Pause)

YEKEL

(enters from Rifkele's room. He is without hat or coat; his hair is in disorder. His eyes have a wild glare, and he speaks slowly, with a subdued, hoarse voice.)

I'll go. . . You'll go. . . Rifkele will go. . . (Pointing to the brothel)

Down into the cellar. . . God won't have it otherwise. . .

SARAH

Yekel, have you gone crazy? A misfortune has befallen us. Let us hunt out Shloyme. We'll give him two or three hundred and let him give us back our child. He'll do it, all right. . . Well, what's the matter with you?

YEKEL

(in the same hoarse voice, as he paces about the room)

It's all the same to me now. Her soul is given over to the devil. Nothing will help. God won't have it. . .

(He stops before the window and peers through)

SARAH (mockingly)

God won't have it, you say? It's you that won't have it. Do you love your daughter? Yekel: Yekel: (Dragging him away from the window)

What's come over you? Act while there is yet time. He might take her off somewhere while we're waiting time here. Let's be off to him at once. Hindel must surely have taken her to him. What are you standing there for?

(Abruptly)

I've sent for Reb Ali. We'll hear what he has to say. (Pause, Yekel still looks in Rifkele's room)

What are you staring at there? (Pause) Why don't you say something? Good heavens, it's enough to drive a woman insane!

(Turns away and bursts into tears)

35.

YEKEL (pacing about the room as before)

No more home. . . No more wife. . . no more daughter. . . Down into the cellar. . . We don't need any daughter now. . . don't need her. . . She's become what her mother was. . . God won't have it. . . Back to the cellar. . . Down into the brothel!

SARHA

So you want to go back to the cellar? -- Well, into the cellar, then! Much I care! He wants to ruin us completely.

(For a moment she is absorbed in reflection)

If you're going to stand there like a lunatic, I'll get busy myself. (Takes off her diamond xkxgxx ear-rings.) I'll go over to Shloyme's and give him my diamond ear-rings. (From her bundle she draws out a golden chain.) And if he holds back, I'll add a hundred.

(She searches Yekel's inside pocket for his pocketbook. He offers no resistance.)

Within fifteen minutes (throwing a shawl over her shoulders) Rifkele will be here.

(As she leaves)

Shloyme will do that for me. (Slams the door behind her.)

YEKEL (walks about the room, his head bowed)

It's all the same to me now. . . The devil got her, too. No more daughter. . .

No more Holy Scroll. . . Back to the brothel. . . God won't have it. . .

(Long pause. Reizel appears at the door, thrusting in her head. Steals into the room and stops near the entrance.

Yekel notices her, and stares at her vacantly.)

REIZEL (stammering)

I went for Reb Ali. Your wife sent me. He'll be here soon.

YEKEL (with the same empty stare)

The devil has won her, anyway. No use now. No use. Too late. God won't have it.

REIZEL

She was such a nice girl. What a shame!

YEKEL

(eyes her with amazement)

REIZEL (frightened)

Your wife gold me to wait here until she came back.

YEKEL

Don't be afraid. I haven't gone insane yet. Not yet. God has punished me.

REIZEL

Who could ever have expected such a thing! She was such a pure child. Oh! what a heatbreaking pity!

YEKEL (hysterically)

Ha! Ha!

36.

REB ALI (enters)

What's happened, that you had to call me before daybreak?

(Going to the window, and peering through)

It's almost time for the morning prayers.

YEKEL (not looking at Reb Ali)

The Holy Scroll has been violated, Reb Ali. Desecrated most foully.

REB ALI (frightened)

What are you saying? God forbid. What has happened? Speak, man!

YEKEL

Down into the cellar. (Pointing below. Then to Reizel). Down below, with the rest of them. Down into the cellar. No more Holy Scroll.

REB ALI

Man: What words are these! What's happened here? Speak!

REIZEL (at the door. Reasurring to Reb Ali)

No, Rebbi. Not the Holy Scroll. His daughter... Rifkele. The Holy Scroll is undefiled. (Points to Rifkele's room) Still in there

REB ALI (with a sign of relief)

Blessed be His Name. I feel easier on that score.

YEKEL

My daughter is holier to me than a Holy Scroll.

REB ALI

Don't talk nonsense. Just keep quiet and don't make any scenes. Has anybody gone yet to look for her? To bring her back? Well? What are standing there for?

REIZEL

My mistress went to get her.

REB ALI

Do they know where the girl went?

REIZEL

Yes. The mistress will soon fetch her home.

REB ALI

Fine! Then what's all this commotion about? The whole town will know all about it before long. Such things should be kept dark. They're not nice. If a prospective father-in-law ever got wind of the story, her dowry would have to be raised a couple of hundred. . .

37.

YEKEL

It's all the same to me now. Let everybody know. No more daughter. . . No more Holy Scroll. . . . Into the cellar -- with everything.

REB ALI

Fie! You're out of your head altogether. True, a misfortune has befallen you. Well? Misfortunes happen to plenty of folks. The Lord sends aid and things turn out all right. The important point is to keep it a secret. (Turns to Yekel who is looking vacantly into space) I had a talk with. . .

(Looks around to see whether Reizel is still present. Seeing her, he stops. After a pause he begins anew, more softly, looking at Reizel as a hint for her to leave.)

With er, er. I had a talk -- I had a talk -- I had a talk --

(Casts a significant glance at Reizel, who at last understands, and leaves)

I had a talk with the groom's father. I spoke to him between the afternoon and evening prayers, at the synagogue. He's almost ready to talk business. Of course, I gave him to understand that the bride doesn't boast a very high pedigree, but I guess another hundred will fix that up, all right. Nowadays, pedigrees don't count as much as they used to. But nobody must get wind of this. It might spoil everything. The father comes of a fine family and the son carries a smart head on his shoulders. There, there. Calm yourself. Trust in the Lord and everything will turn out for the best, with God's help. I am going to the synagogue. And as soon as the girl returns, notify me,

(About to go)

YEKEL (arises and grasps Reb Ali's arm)

Listen to me, Rebbi. You don't understand.

REB ALI, (thunderstruck)

YEKEL

My daughter has gone to a brothel. God has punished me.

REB ALI (trying to interrupt him)

What are you raving about?

YEKEL

No, God has punished me, and justly. I am a woeful sinner. I know it well. He should have broken my feet -- or taken away my life in its prime. But what did He want of my daughter? My poor, blameless daughter?

REB ALI

Hear me. You mustn't talk like that against the Lord.

YEKEL (excited)

Why not? It's the truth. Yes, I am Yekel Sheshovitch, all right. The "Uncle" of a brothel. But the truth I may speak even to God. I'm afraid no longer. I went into the synagogue to you. I told you everything. So you advised me to have a Holy Scroll written. In there I placed it, -- in her room. I stood before it night after night, and my tortured heart cried out to it, "You are really -- God. You know everything I do. You will punish me. Very well. Punish me. Punish my wife. We have both sinned. But my poor, innocent daughter. Guard her. Have pity upon her!"

38

REB ALI

But no evil has befallen her. She will return.

YEKEL

No use... She'll be drawn to it. If not today, tomorrow. Once she has made a beginning... she'll not stop. I know. Yes, I know only too well.

REB ALI

Calm yourself. With God's help your daughter will get married, and bring you plenty of happiness.

YEKEL

Too late, Rebbi. Too late. If only she had died in her childhood, I should have nothing to complain about... Then I'd know she was dead, -- that I had buried an innocent creature... I would visit her grave and say to myself... "Here lies your child, -- and perhaps her little soul on high with God one day. Even if you yourself are a sinner, here lies a pure daughter of yours, a virtuous child." But as it is, what is left me on earth? I myself am a sinner. I leave behind me sinful offspring. And so passes sin from generation to generation.

REB ALI

Don't speak like that. A Jew must not utter such things. Trust in the Lord, and say, "The past is dead and gone."

YEKEL (Interrupting)

Don't try to console me, Rebbi. I know that it's too late. Sin encircles me and mine like a rope around my neck. God wouldn't have it. But I ask you, Rebbi, why wouldn't He have it? What harm would it have done Him if I, Yekel Shepshovich, should have been raised from the mire that is chocking me. You, Holy Scroll, I know, -- you are a great God! For you are our Lord! I, Yekel Shepshovitch, have sinned.

(Beats his breast with his closed fist)

My sins... My sins... Work a miracle, -- send down a pillar of fire to consume me. On this very spot, where I now stand! Open up the earth at my feet and let it swallow me! But shield my daughter. Send her back to me as pure and innocent as when she left. I know... to You everything is possible. Work a miracle! For You are an almighty God. And if You don't, then You're no Good at all, I tell you. I, Yekel Shepshovitch, tell You that You are as vengeful as any human being. If there is a true God, let him reveal his miracle here and now.

REB ALI

Do you realize whom you are talking to?

(Looks at him sternly)

Implore pardon of the Holy Scroll!

(Drags Yekel into Rifkele's room)

YEKEL

The truth may be spoken even before God's very face!

(Stage empty)

39

SARAH

(comes in slowly and then)

Come in, Shloyme. Why do you remain outside?

SHLOYME (from without)

Where is Yekel?

(Sarah closes Rifkele's door)

Let him know, (Comes in) that I'll do anything for one of our brotherhood. Even if he did insult me.

SARAH

Let them stay there. (Smiling) These last few days he's turned into a saint.

Seeks the company of pious Jews. And what a bride you have picked out!

Such a pest your Hindel is, I must say! You can't shake yourself rid of her!

She trails after you as if you already belonged to her. I'll wager she's tracked you to this place, too!

(Runs over to the entrance door and locks it)

Shloyme, Shloyme, such goods you've selected!

SHLOYME

Don't worry, I tell you. Once I've said "yes", I mean it. Whoever else I'd refuse, I'll do it for you. Even if you have treated me shabbily of late. . . Well, never mind.

SARAH

(glides over to him, seizes his hand and looks straight into his eyes.)

A fellow as young as you, -- how can you take such a thing as Hindel? Why can't you get some fine, respectable girl? Why not? Aren't you as young and handsome as any other, I'd like to know?

(Slaps him across the shoulders)

You just listen to me, Shloyme. You know I was never, unkind to you, even if I haven't been all I might have, lately. But I've always been Sarah to you. Isn't that so?

(Looking his straight in the eyes)

SHLOYME

The devil! Deuce knows! I let my head be turned by the girl... Just for the time being. . . to get a few roubles. . . Do you really think I meant to marry her? My mother would have cursed every bone in my body. I have a respectable mother. And my sister?

SARAH

Haven't you any better business prospects than to tie yourself to such a fright and open a place with her? Much there is in the business these days, anyway.

(Comes close to him and thrusts her ear-rings into his hand)

Here, take these and here's another five hundred. Now tell me where Rifkele is.

40.

SHL OYME

What's true is true. You were once a good woman. Lately you've been spoiled.
(Pockets her ear-rings)

SHARAH

And now tell me, Shloyme, where she is. You know you may tell me everything,
even if I am her mother. You know, such things don't effect me. Tell me, ---
have you led her off somewhere to a . . . ?

SHLOYME

She is very near. . . If I say I'll bring her here, you may depend upon me.

SARAH (hysterically)

Ha! Ha! But tell me, Shloyme, where have you put her? You may speak freely
to me.

(Places an arm about him and slaps him over the shoulder
with the other, looking into his eyes coquettishly.)

Come, tell me, good brother.

SHLOYME

Not far from here. Not far. . .

(A thumping of fists is heard on the door leading to the outside)

HINDEL (from without)

You know nothing about her! Nothing at all!

SARAH

Let her hammer her head against the wall. Goodness me! How she hold him in
her clutches! Ha, ha! He dare not leave her for a moment! Shame yourself,
to have affairs with trash like that!

(Shloyme meditates for a moment. Sarah seizes him by the
arm and draws him aside.)

See here. What do you need her for? I'll get a girl for you. A dream.

You'll see.

Sarah (sits down staring at Shloyme)

So, that's your style, eh? That thing there? Ha, ha! What is she pestering
you for? You know nothing at all about her. Well, why don't you go along
with her, Shloyme? She's come for you. . . to get married. . . and set up
house. (Hysterically) Ha! Ha!

(Comes close to Shloyme)

A young chap like you, with a respectable mother, -- and your father a pious
Jew. . . What does she want of you? What is she pestering you for?

SHLOYME (resolutely opens the door)

Come Sarah. We'll get Rifkele.

HINDEL

You'll not go. I won't let you go.

(

41.

(Runs over to Shloyme and seizes his hand)

SHLOYME

SARAH

(running back. Opens Rifkele's door and calls
to the men inside)

Rifkele is here!

HINDEL (from the entry)

I'll not let you. You won't tell!

SHLOYME (in the doorway)

Come, Sarah.

SARAH (runs after him)

I'm coming, Shloyme

(Sarah, Shloyme and Hindel leave.)

REB ALI (enters with Yekel)

Praised be the Lord! Praised be the Heavenly Father!

(Following Yekel, who paces about the room)

See how the Almighty, blessed be His Name, has come to your aid? He
punishes, yes. But he sends the remedy before the disease. Despite your
having sinned, despite your having uttered a blasphemy.

(Admonishing Yekel. Pause. Reb Ali looks sternly at
him. Yekel has continued to walk about the room,
absorbed in his thoughts)

With the aid of the Almighty everything will turn out for the best. I'm
going at once to the groom's father and we'll discuss the whole matter in
detail. But be sure not to haggle. A hundred more or less, --remember
who you are and who he is. And what's more, see to it that you settle the dowry
right away and indulge in no idle talk about the wedding. Heaven forbid, --
another misfortune might occur: Such matters should not be delayed.

(Glares angrily at Yekel)

What: You pay no attention? I'm talking to you!

YEKEL (as if to himself)

One thing I want to ask her. One thing only. But she must tell me the truth, --
the whole truth. Yes, or no.

REB ALI

Don't sin, man. Thank the good Lord that He has helped you.

YEKEL (as before)

I'll not lay a finger upon her. Just let her answer the truth. Yes, or no.

REB ALI

The truth. The truth. Heaven will help you. . . Everything will turn out for the best.

42.

YEKEL

We'll see.

REB ALI

I'm going to the young man's father directly. He's over at the synagogue and must surely be waiting for me. (Looks around) Tell your wife to put the house in order in the meantime. And cast all this nonsense out of your head. Trust in the Lord and rejoice in His comfort. Tell your wife to tidy up the place. I'll be back directly. (Leaves).

Yekel

(Striding nervously to and fro.) I'll not hurt her. Let her only tell the truth. The plain truth. (A long silence).

Sarah

(On the threshold) Come in. Come in. Your father won't beat you. (Pause) Go in I tell you. (Pushes Rifkele into the room. Rifkele has a shawl over her head. She stands silent and motionless at the door.) Well, what are you standing there for, my darling? Much pleasure you have brought us in return for our trouble in bringing you up. We'll square that with you later. (Interrupting herself) Get into your room. Comb your hair. Put on your dress. We're expecting guests. (To Yekel) I just met Reb Ali. He's going for the groom's father. (Looks about the room.) Goodness me! How the place looks! (She begins hastily to place things in order.)

YEKEL

(Seeing Rifkele, fastens his gaze upon her, approaches her, takes her gently by the hand and leads her to the table.) Don't be afraid. I'll not hurt you. (He sots down.) Sit down here beside me. (Pushes a chair toward her.) Sit down.

RIFKELE

(Hides her face in her shawl.) I can stand just as well.

YEKEL

Sit down. (He seats her). Don't be afraid.

RIFKELE

(From behind the shawl) Why should I be afraid?

YEKEL

(Speaks in a faltering voice.) Rifkele, tell me Rifkele. You are my daughter. I am your father. (Points to Sarah) She is your mother. Tell me, my daughter. Tell me the whole truth. Don't be afraid of me. Don't feel ashamed before me. I know -- not for your sins. . not for your sins... For my sins, mine. . . For your mother's sins. . our sins. . Tell me daughter. . .

SARAH

Just look at the way he sits down to cross examine her! What does he want of her? The moment she arrives! Let her go in and dress. We'll soon be having company. (About to take Rifkele away.)

YEKEL

Let her go I say: (Thrusts Sarah away from Rifkele.)

SARAH

He's gone crazy today.

YEKEL

(Seating Rifkele beside him.) Don't be afraid. I won't harm you. Not for your sins. It's for ours. I guarded you like the apple of my eye. I had

43

Holy Scroll written for you. I placed it in your room and prayed to it for
days and nights at a time. "Shield my child from evil! Visit your punish-
ment upon me! On your mother! But spare my daughter!" You'd grow up, I
planned, I'd get a respectable young man for a husband.

RIFKELE

(Still hidden behind the shawl.) There's plenty of time for me to marry.
I'm not so old.

SARAH

Just listen how she talks to him!

YEKEL

Let her alone! I want to ask her only one thing. One thing only. Tell me
the truth. . . I'll not beat you. I'll not lay a finger upon you. You're
not to blame. (Almost unable to speak) Tell me frankly, the - the - whole
truth. . The truth. .

SARAH

What truth shall she tell you? What do you want of the girl?

YEKEL

I'm not asking you. . (Arises, seizing Rifkele by the hand.) Don't feel ashamed
before me. I'm your father. You may tell me everything. . Speak openly. . Are
you - are you still as pure as when you left this house? Are you still a
virtuous Jewish daughter?

SARAH

(Tearing Rifkele out of Yekel's grasp.) What do you want of the girl? The
child is innocent of all evil. Let her go.

YEKEL

(Holding Rifkele firmly, and trying to look straight into her eyes.)
Just tell me the truth. I'll believe you. Look me straight in the face.
Are you still an innocent Jewish child? Look me in the face! Straight in
the eye! (Rifkele, despite Yekel's efforts, hides her face in the shawl.)

SARAH

Why don't you take that shawl off your head? (Removes Rifkele's shawl. Rifkele resists, but losing her grasp upon the shawl she hides her face in her gown.)

YEKEL

Tell me now. Don't be ashamed. I'll do you no harm. (Holding her firmly by the hand and looking her directly into the eye.) Are you still a chaste Jewish daughter? ---tell me at once!

RIFKELE

(Trying to hide her face.) I don't know . .

YEKEL

You don't know! You don't know! Who does know? What do you mean -- you
"don't know?"

RIFKELE

(Tearing herself from Yekel.) It was all right for mamma, wasn't it? And it was
all right for you, I know all about it! Beat me! Beat me!

SARAH

(Rushes over to Rifkele with arms upraised ready to strike her. Yekel casts
Sarah aside with a single brush.)

YEKEL

It would have been better for you had I twisted your neck. ( Chokes her and gets a shooting pain in the back of his neck).

44.

(SARAH then approaches Rifkele, lifts her and leads her off stage into the room. Yekel stretches out on a chair.)

SARAH (returns)

(to Rifkele in the room)

I'll have a reckoning with you later!

(runs over to Yekel, grasps his hand and entreats him)

Yekel, consider what you are doing, for God's sake! Who need know anything?

(Pause)

Calm yourself. (Pause) Rifkele will get married and we'll live to have plenty of happiness from her. (Yekel is silent) Put on your coat, -- they'll soon be here.

(Abruptly)

Who need know anything at all about it?

(YEKEL is silent. Stares vacantly into space.)

SARAH

(brings in Yekel's coat and hat and places them upon him. He offers no resistance)

What a misfortune! What a misfortune! Who could have foreseen such a thing?

(She straightens Yekel's coat, then puts the room in order)

Bring up children with so much care and anxiety, and... Ah!

(Footsteps are heard outside. Sarah runs over to Yekel and pulls his sleeve.)

They're here! For the love of God, Yekel, remember! Everything can be fixed yet.

(Enter Reb Ali and a stranger. Sarah hastily thrusts her hair under the wig and goes to the door to welcome the visitors.)

REB ALI

Good morning.

SARAH

Good morning. Good year. Welcome.

(Somewhat confused, she places chairs before the guests and motions them to be seated.)

REB ALI (in a cheerful mood)

Well, and where is the bride's father?

(Looking about for Yekel)

SARAH, (smiling to her husband)

Why don't you show yourself, Yekel?

(She thrusts a chair toward him. The visitors express their greetings and take their seats)

REB ALI (gesticulating)

He's been ill; he's convalescing. Let's get right down to business.

(To the stranger, pointing to Yekel)

This gentleman wishes to unite families with you. He has an excellent daughter and wants as her husband a scholar well versed in Rabbinical lore. He'll support the couple for life.

## THE STRANGER

That sounds inviting.

YEKEL (arising)

Yes, my friend, A virtuous Jewish daughter. . . a model child...

REB ALI (to the stranger)

He's ready to settle upon her a dowry of five hundred roubles cash at the time of the engagement. . . And he'll support the couple for life. He will treat your son as his own child.

## STRANGER

Well, -- there's little need of boosting my goods. With two years more of study, he'll have the whole learning at his finger tips, -- a full-fledged rabbi.

## REB ALI

Naturally, naturally. This gentleman will guard him like the apple of his eye. He'll be able to sit and study the Holy Law day and night, to his heart's content.

YEKEL (indicating Rifkele's room)

Yes, he'll sit and study the Sacred Law. . . I have a virtuous Jewish daughter.

(Goes into the room and drags Rifkele out by force. She is only half dressed, her hair in disorder. He points to her)

Your son will marry a virtuous Jewish daughter, I say. She will bear him pure.

Jewish children. . . (Laughing wildly, to the stranger)

My wife will lead her under the wedding canopy. . . A Rabbi?

(The stranger shakes his head "yes")

I can't, fellow Jew. That lie is chocking me. Down into the cellar!

(Pointing to the cellar)

Down into the brothel! (Dragging Rifkele by her hair to the door)

(Sarah rushes madly over to Yekel and he grabs her by the hair.)

## YEKEL

Down into the brothel with you! Down! (He pushes both out of doors.)

THE STRANGER (with amazement and fright)

What is this?

(REB ALI beckons to him, pulls him by the sleeve and points to the door. He draws the stranger to the door. Leaves. Pause)

## YEKEL

(Dragging Reb Ali back and pushing him into Rifkele's room)

Take the Holy Scroll with you! I don't need it any more! What do I need a Scroll for? What do I need a Scroll for?

## CURTAIN