Page:Etta Block - One-act plays from the Yiddish (1923).pdf/67

 (Fraidele cuts the rope. The pack falls heavily to the floor.)

Such a heavy load!

&ensp;(dropping down wearily on the bundle) Praised be the Lord—in a Jewish house at last! Where’s your mamma?

Mamma’s dead. Passover she died.

Was a pious woman, I suppose! Na—and left you so young! Where is your papa?

He took a load of wood to the city.

And what are you doing?

I kneaded the bread and made a fire in the oven.

Nu, did you look to see if it is rising? There, there, I’ll give a look myself. Such a young thing your mother left you! Very young!&emsp;(Uncovering the tub of dough.)&emsp;M’m—not even stirring.

It isn’t very long since I kneaded it.

But you’ve already made the fire. You’ve been crying, too, I see. I suppose you’ve been crying into the bread, eh?