Page:Etta Block - One-act plays from the Yiddish (1923).pdf/156

 DAVID Yes, yes. And if I wanted to rush I could make more. When I’ll have a wife, I’ll beat all the other workers.

CHANNAH (startled) David—you are going to be married—then?

DAVID No—that is—as for wanting to, yes—but .. .

CHANNAH But, what?

DAVID Do I know? They want to marry me off. Yesterday the matchmaker took me over to see a girl, A thousand gulden she has and a notion-stall on the market place.

CHANNAH (catching her breath) And you went—to see?

DAVID Yes. I stood on the street and looked. The matchmaker wanted me to go in and buy a packet of cigarettes as an excuse. He pushed me along by force. But I took it into my head I didn’t want to because it happened to be a Monday. I can’t understand how one can come to a perfectly strange girl with a matchmaker, and say to her—just off-hand—“Be my wife” —And done! How? When? What? Sup- pose someone said such a thing to you, Channah, what would you say, ha, what?

CHANNAH ; I am a Jewish daughter. I would have to do as my father and mother said, only... I would be very unhappy!