Page:Etta Block - One-act plays from the Yiddish (1923).pdf/63

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The Stranger



Mordcha
Yes, mamma took everything with her… (Sighing.) No more luck! No courage!

Fraidele
Will you ask someone in the city what to do for him?

Mordcha
Maybe he’s cutting teeth.

Fraidele
I felt with my finger in his little mouth. They’re not showing yet.

Mordcha
Enough kneading. Better heat up the oven now. I suppose the bread will rise right away, the flour was dry.

Fraidele (a bit anxious)
Maybe you had better not go to the city today, papa… Yes, better go, I guess—only one little piece of sugar left in the house.

Mordcha
You’re afraid to stay in the house alone, Fraidele? It is daytime. People are walking and driving by on the road.

Fraidele
Our house is so far from the village.

Mordcha
Foolish child! What’s the difference? God’s world is everywhere. What can we do? Maybe it had to be your mother should leave you so young. (Sighing.) With her went everything! There’s no joy—there’s no luck!

Fraidele
When may we whitewash the walls again, papa?

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