THE GOD OF VENGEANCE
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
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