Page:Etta Block - One-act plays from the Yiddish (1923).pdf/35

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Mother and Son



Moshele
At the time I left, you were willing enough to go with me in spite of everything, and I could barely persuade you to remain here until I could prepare a place for us. But it seems that all that was necessary was for me to go out of your sight—and you couldn’t tear yourself away from here…

Gitele (tearfully)
Moshele, why do you speak like that? You know very well that is not so. It wasn’t very easy for me here, either, but—what was I to do? It was such a pity for the bobbe’she!

Moshele
And for me you had no pity? And for yourself—you had no pity?

Gitele
But just think of her condition—you, whom she loved best—gone…

Moshele
I didn’t go myself. I was driven out…

Gitele (unheeding)
Two days later grandfather died. (Moshele trembles. He begins to pace the floor.) She is old and sick and has no one except Aaron and me. If she should find out that I believe as you do—love you—she would die. (He continues to pace the floor; Gitele follows him with her eyes; then she rises, goes to him and puts her arms about him—very still and very tenderly.) Why are you so disturbed? Are you angry with me?

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