Page:Etta Block - One-act plays from the Yiddish (1923).pdf/16

 &ensp;(sitting down heavily on a bench, speaks in a hard and cutting voice) I went to the village. Passed the garden with the tavern—where the music plays. Do I even hear it? Music I need! Don’t even look around—what garden? where garden? A garden I need! At home I have a girl growing a grey switch. From my business there'll be no dowery—so I trudge on! Not my eyes see, nor my ears hear…All of a sudden—a roar of laughter! I look around and see…

&ensp;(entering) Here, mama’she, coal-oil.&ensp;(As she starts to come forward, she sees Dvorah, and places the oil on the floor near the door.)&ensp;You will fill the lamp, mama’she?&ensp;(She is about to go back of the curtain.)

&ensp;(to Saril) Miriam is lying down. Her head aches.

You’ll cook potatoes, mama’she?

&ensp;(snappily) And I don’t get a “good evening”?

I’ll cook potatoes.&emsp;(Saril takes a pot of potatoes and a knife.)&emsp;It’s chilly outside, Saril.

(Saril goes out without replying; there is a heavy stillness after her departure.)

And what did you see, Dvorah?