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 going about the room picking up the things that lie scattered about. She packs them into a bundle, as if preparing to leave, yet eventually puts most of the articles back into their proper places.
It is early morning. Through the closed shutters penetrates the gray light of coming day.
SARAH: 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 door.] Yekel! Why are you so silent? What’s come over you? [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. Go to the police, see the captain ... Seek out the man by hook or crook... There is yet time. [Returns to the door.] Why don’t you say something? [She sits down upon a bundle of clothes near the door, buries her face in her hands and begins to weep.] He sits there like a madman, staring at the Holy Scroll and mumbling. He neither sees nor hears. What on earth can have possessed him? [Arises. To YEKEL.] It makes no difference to me,—one place or another. If you want me to leave, 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 ... Everything and everybody will go... [Pointing to the brothel.] Down into the cellar... God won’t have it otherwise ...
SARAH: Yekel, what’s possessed you? Have you gone crazy? [Approaching him.] Consider what you’re doing. A misfortune has befallen us. Agreed. To whom don’t misfortunes happen? Come. Let us hunt out Shloyme. We’ll give him two or three hundred roubles and let him give us back our child. He’ll do it, all right ... Well, what are you sitting there moping about? 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. My soul is given over to the devil. Nothing will help. It’s no use. God won’t have it... [He stops before the window and peers through an interstice of the shutter.]
SARAH: God won’t have it, you say? You’ve merely talked yourself into that! 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 wasting 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 peers through the shutter spaces.] 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.]
YEKEL: [Pacing about the room as before.] No more home... No more wife... no more daughter... Down into the cellar... Back to the brothel... 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!
SARAH: So you want to go back to the cellar?—Into the cellar, then! Much I care! [Resumes her packing.] He wants to ruin us completely. What has come over the man? [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 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 rouble note. [She searches YOKEL’s trousers 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 ... Into the brothel with everything... 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. Too late. God won’t have it.
REIZEL: She was such a nice girl. What a shame!
YEKEL: [Eyes her with amazement.]
REIZEL: [Apologizing.] Your wife told 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 heartbreaking pity! As true as I live ...
REB ALI: [Enters, carrying a lantern.] What’s happened, that you had to call me before daybreak? [Going to the window and peering through the shutter spaces.] 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, the whole town will have to atone for the sin! What has happened? Speak, man! Good Lord in Heaven!
YEKEL: Down into the brothel ... [Pointing below. Then to REIZEL.] Down below, with the rest of them. Down into the brothel. No more Holy Scroll.
REB ALI: Man! What words are these! What’s happened here? Speak!
REIZEL: [At the door. Reassuring 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 sigh of relief] Blessed be His name. But are you sure that the Scroll is undefiled?
REIZEL: Yes, Rebbi.
REB ALI: [More calmly, spitting out.] Blessed be His Name. I feel easier on that score. [To YEKEL.] What made you talk such nonsense? [To REIZEL, without looking at her.] Did she go away? Isn’t she back yet? [To YEKEL.] Has anybody gone to look for her?
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 you standing there for, instead of going after her?
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 roubles ...
YEKEL: It’s all the same to me now. Let everybody know. No more daughter... No more Holy Scroll ... Into the cellar. Into the brothel with everything.
REB ALI: Fie! You’re out of your head altogether. True, a misfortune has befallen you. May Heaven watch over all of us. Well? What? 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. Hear nothing. See nothing. Just wash your hands clean of it and forget it. [To REIZEL.] Be careful what you say. Don’t let it travel any further, God forbid. Do you hear? [Turns to YEKEL, who is staring 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... [Casts a synificant 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 roubles will fix that up, all right. Nowadays, pedigrees don’t count as much as they used to. With God’s help I’ll surely be here this Sabbath, with the groom’s father. We’ll go down to the Dayon. l and have him examine the young man in his religious studies... But nobody must get wind of this tale. 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 home to prepare for the morning prayer. And as soon as the girl returns, notify me. Remember, now. [About to go.]
YEKEL: [Arises and grasps REB ALI’s arm.] Listen to me, Rebbi. Tike your Holy Scroll along with you. I don’t need it any more.
REB ALI: [Thunderstruck.] What are you talking about? What has possessed you? Have you gone stark mad?
YEKEL: My daughter has gone to a brothel. The Scroll has been desecrated. God has punished me.
REB ALI: [Trying to interrupt him.] What are you raving about?
YEKEL: I am a woeful sinner. I know it well. He should have broken my feet beneath me,—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.] And why not? I may speak everything. It’s the truth. Yes, I am Yekel Tchaftchovitch, 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 House of Study 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 used to say to it, “You are really a 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!”
REB ALI: But no evil has befallen her. She will return. She will yet make a fine pious Jewish wife.
YEKEL: No use ... The devil has won her. She’ll be drawn to it. Once she has made a beginning ... she’ll not stop... If not today, tomorrow. The devil has won her soul. I know. Yes, I know only too well.
REB ALI: Don’t speak folly, I tell you. Calm yourself. Pray fervently for the Lord’s pardon. Give up this business of yours. With God’s help your daughter will yet marry just like all Jewish women, 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. 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 a person’s 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 Tchaftchovitch, should have been raised from the mire into which I have fallen? [He goes into RIFKELE’s room, carries out the Sacred Parchment, raises it aloft and speaks.] You, Holy Scroll, I know,—you are a great God! For you are our Lord! I, Yekel Tchaftchovitch, 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 God at all, I tell you. I, Yekel Tchaftchovitch, tell You that You are as vengeful as any human being... R
EB ALI: [Jumps up and snatches the Parchment from YEKEL‘s grasp.] Do you realize whom you are talking to? [Looks at him sternly, then takes the Scroll back to RIFKELE’s room.] Implore pardon of the Holy Scroll!
YEKEL: The truth may be spoken even before God’s very face! [Follows REB ALI into RIFKELE’s room.] If He’s a true God, then let Him reveal His miracle here on this very spot!
SARAH: [Runs in excitedly. Hastens over to the mirror and begins to arrange her hair with her hands. Calls.] Come in, Shloyme. Why do you remain outside?
SHLOYME: [From without.] Where is Yekel? Let him know [Comes in.] that I’ll do anything for one of our brotherhood. Even if he did insult me.
SARAH: [Runs over to RIFKELE’s door. Locks it, leaving YEKEL and REB ALI inside.] Let him stay there. [Smiling.] These last few days he’s turned into a saint ... Seeks the company of pious Jews. [Runs over to the entrance door and locks it.] 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! [With a wily smile.] Ah, Shloyme, Shloyme, such goods you’ve selected! [She goes over to the window and opens the shutters. The room grows lighter.] Why have they closed up the place, anyway? As if in mourning!
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. Hindel may go to perdition for all it’ll help her.
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 scarecrow as Hindel? Who is she? She’s roamed around from one brothel to another. Why, a young chap like you! And you can make a tidy bit now. Then what do you need her for? With your couple of hundred roubles why can’t you catch 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 him straight in the eyes.]
SHLOYME: [Twirling his moustache.] 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. It doesn’t pay to have to do with outcasts of her type. [Comes close to him and thrusts her ear-rings into his hand.] Here, take these and here’s another hundred roubles. Now tell me where Rifkele is.
SHLOYME: What’s true is true.You were once a good woman. [Winks at her.] Lately you’ve been spoiled. But that’s another matter. Just remember that Shloyme is one of your own crowd. [Pockets her ear-rings.]
SARAH:And now tell me, Shloyme, where she is. You may tell me everything, even if I am her mother. You know, such things don’t affect 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. And listen,—may I have such luck, what a prize she would make! Such eyes, such motions. And as clever as they make ’em!
SARAH:Ha! Ha! There’s life to Sarah yet... 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 holds him in her clutches! Ha, ha! He dare not leave her for a moment! [Making eyes at him.] 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. [Winks at him.]
HINDEL: [Forcing the door open, rushes in.] What are they pestering him about? Bad dreams to them! Their daughter runs away... [Seizing SHLOYME by the hand.] He doesn’t know where she is. What do they want of you, anyway?
SARAH: [Sits down, glances teasingly at SHLOYME and points to HINDEL.] So that’s your style, eh? That thing there? Ha, ha!
HINDEL:[Looking around.] She laughs like an evil spirit! [To SHLOYME.] You know nothing whatever about Rifkele. [Takes him aside. Softly.] Let’s be off to Lodz at once. We’ll marry there... Rent a house... With two girls like these we can... Consider what you’re doing! [Aloud.] What are they pestering you for?You know nothing at all about her. [Pulling him out.] Come, Shloyme. [He is undecided.]
SARAH:[Aloud, with a wily smile.] Well, why don’t you go along with her, Shloyme? She’s come for you... to take you to Lodz... to get married... and set up house. Tee-hee! [Comes close to SHLOYME and draws him away from HINDEL.] A young chap like you, with a respectable mother,—and your father was a pious Jew...What does she want of you? What is she pestering you for?
SHLOYME:[Resolutely.] Come, Sarah. We’ll get Rifkele.
HINDEL: [Clapping her hand across his mouth.] You’ll not tell.You know nothing about her. [She runs over to the door, shuts it and stands with her back against it.] I won’t let you go out. [Runs over to SHLOYME and seizes his hand.] Remember, Shloyme. It’s all right for them. Then why not for us? Come, Shloyme. We’ll leave this place... And we’ll do such a business—such a flourishing business!
SHLOYME: We’ve heard all that ... we’ve heard it before. [Thrusts her away.] We’ll talk that over later. I haven’t any time now. [Goes out with SARAH, followed by HINDEL.]
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 blasphemy. [Admonishing him.] From now on see to it that you never speak such words,—that you have reverence, great reverence... Know what a Holy Scroll is, and what a learned Jew is... You must go to the synagogue, and you must make a generous donation to the students of the Law. You must fast in atonement, and the Lord will forgive you. [Pause. REB ALI looks sternly at YEKEL, who has continued to walk about the room, absorbed in his thoughts.] What? Aren’t you listening to me? 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 roubles 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 ALl: 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. 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 you, prepare the contract, and at once, so that he’ll have no time to discover anything amiss and withdraw. Arrange the wedding date and have the bride go at once to her parents-in-law. No idle chatter, remember. Keep silent, so that nobody will learn anything about it. [Ready to go.] And cast all this nonsense out of your head. Trust in the Lord and rejoice in His comfort. [At the door.] Tell your wife to tidy up the place. [Leaves.]
YEKEL: [Strides nervously to and fro.] Let her only tell me 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, a shameless look in her eyes, biting her lips.] Well, what are you standing there for, my darling? Much pleasure you’ve 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 a 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 sits down.] Sit down here beside me. [Pushes a chair toward her.] Sit down.
RIFKELE: [Provoked, 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’s sat 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. What’s possessed the man? [Resumes her cleaning.]
YEKEL: [Seating RIFKELE beside him.] I’ll not beat you. [Clutching her slender throat with his fingers.] If I had only twisted your neck for you, like this, before you ever grew up, it would have been better for you, and for me... But don’t be afraid. I won’t harm you. It’s not for your sins that God has punished us. No. It’s for ours. I guarded you like the apple of my eye. I had a 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 punishment upon me! On her mother! But spare my daughter!”You’d grow up, I planned, and I’d make a fine match for you. I’d get you a respectable young man for a husband. I’d keep you both here with me, at my expense. You would both live...
RIFKELE: [Still hidden behind her shawl.] There’s plenty of time for me to marry. I’m not so old.
SARAH: And she has the impudence to argue with him!
RIFKELE: They want to turn me into a Rabbi’s wife.m—Why didn’t mamma marry early?
SARAH: Hold your tongue, or I’ll slap you black and blue! Just listen to what she’s picked up in a single night!
RIFKELE: [Misunderstanding.] Yes, I know everything now.
YEKEL: Let her alone! [With nervous haste.] 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 tell me... 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? [Shouting.] Yes,—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? You don’t need it indoors. [Removes RIFKELE’s shawl. RIFKELE resists, but losing her grasp upon the shawl she hides her face in her gown.]
YEKEL: [Loudly.] Tell me now. Don’t be ashamed. I’ll do you no harm. [Holding her firmly by the hand and looking her directly in the eye.] Are you still a chaste Jewish daughter?—Tell me, at once!
RIFKELE: [Trying to hide her face.] I don’t know...
YEKEL: [At the top of his voice.] You don’t know! You don’t know! Then who does know? What do you mean,—you “don’t know?”The truth, now! Are you still—
RIFKELE: [Tearing herself from YEKEL.] It was all right for mamma, wasn’t it? And it was all right for you, wasn’t it? I know all about it!... [Hiding her face in her hands.] Beat me! Beat me! Go on!
SARAH: [Rushes over to RIFKELE with arms upraised, ready to strike her. YEKEL casts SARAH aside with a single blow, and falls into a chair, pale and breathing hard. RIFKELE sinks to the floor, weeping hysterically. A long pause. SARAH, plainly upset, paces aimlessly about the room. After a while she takes a broom and begins to sweep the room; her silence betrays a feeling of guilt... She then approaches RIFKELE, lifts her by the hand and leads her off stage into the room. YEKEL is rooted to his place. SARAH returns, 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: [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. Runs into RIFKELE’s room. She is heard hiding something there, and soon returns.] I’ll have a reckoning with you later. [Putting the finishing touches to the room.] Terrible days, these. 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 her 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 ALl: [In a cheerfuf 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.] 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.
THE STRANGER: Well,—there’s little need of my boosting my goods. With two years more of study, he’ll have the whole learning at his finger tips.
REB ALI: Naturally, naturally. This gentleman will guard him like the apple of his eye. He’ll have the best of everything here. 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 inside there and study the sacred books...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 ... even as all pious daughters. [To SARAH.] Isn’t that so? [Laughing wildly, to the stranger.] Yes, indeed, my friend,—she’ll make a pure, pious little mate. My wife will lead her under the wedding canopy...Down into the brothel! Down below! [Pointing to the cellar.] Down into the brothel! [Dragging RIFKELE by her hair to the door.] Down into the brothel with you! Down!
SARAH: [Rushing madly over to YEKEL.] Good God! He’s gone stark mad! [She tries to tear RIFKELE away from YEKEL; he thrusts SARAH aside and drags his daughter out by the hair.]
YEKEL: Down into the brothel with you! [He leaves together with RIFKELE, whose cries are heard from outside.]
THE STRANGER: [With amazement and fright.] What is this? [REB ALI beckons to him, pulls him by the sleeve and points to the door. The stranger stands motionless in his astonishment. REB ALI draws him to the door. They leave. Pause.]
YEKEL: [Enters, dragging back with him REB ALI, whom he has met on the stairs.] Take the Holy Scroll along with you! I don’t need it any more!
CURTAIN