Mother and Son
heavy and too weary to be lifted. Gitele jumps up quickly—frightened.)
Gitele
The bobbe’she! (He jumps up and looks uneasily to right.) Go into my room for a bit. I will prepare her and after I will call you. Go, now. (He stands transfixed, looking toward the door.) But go—do! She will be in directly. (She kisses him quickly and pushes him out through the door, left.) Don’t worry; it will all be right.
(She closes the door after him, runs to the right and enters the dining-room. Presently steps and indistinct voices are heard from there. After a little, Malkele enters slowly. She is over seventy, a little above medium height. Despite her heavily-wrinkled face, there are signs of former beauty. She is very weak indeed, though she manages to hold herself rather erect. Her eyes are still very fine, with a splendid fire in them. Her voice, also, though old, is firm. In crossing the threshold, Gitele, who walks behind her, offers to assist her, but Malkele refuses this aid.)
Malkele
No, no, let me, I'll walk by myself. (Gisele pushes the upholstered chair forward and Malkele sinks down upon it.) I forgot to take the little box along.
Gitele
I’ll bring it right in. (She goes to the dining-room and comes back directly, carrying a little
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