When the Dew Falleth
SIMAH And I hate you!
(She runs away. Asher stands perplexed. The old ones return. Asher hides behind a tree.)
EZRA Ha, ha, ha! Do you know the trick she once played me? Got angry with me for a whole week. I never knew why or when.
NACHOMAH Why don’t you tell him why?
FAIGEN It only happened once?
EZRA But for a whole week! She wouldn’t eat. Ha, ha, ha! She wouldn’t come to me in my room—slept in her clothes for a whole week!
(They ail laugh happily.)
FAIGEN And did you make up?
EZRA
Come home for the Sabbath—the house is dark. Pitch dark! I had touched her honor! She wanted a new dress, so I said—just so— “Why do you need a new dress? It’s after the wedding.” Ha, ha, ha! Just spoke that way. “Why you have a baby already.” Ha, ha, ha! So she gets angry—but for a whole week!
NAcHOMAH (laughing happily)
When one is young, one is foolish. I thought
133
