Page:Etta Block - One-act plays from the Yiddish (1923).pdf/111

The Snowstorm

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Raytze Yente
He who dances at the rejoicings of others will live to dance at his own. Oh, mother of mine, Shmereh is really going to dance on the table. Wait until I take the glasses off.

Shmereh
Ha, ha, ha! woman! Fill up the glasses to the brim and I'll dance between them. (He throws off his boots and climbs upon the table.) Well, sing for me: “Oh, whatever we are, we are; but God we’ll always serve.” Come up here, daughter mine, and help your daddy dance at the rejoicing of a Jew!

Klavne
Well, Shprintze Tzirel, get on the table. Father is calling you. Show what you can do.

(Shprintze removes her shoes and climbs upon the table. She dances opposite her father. Shmereh holds up the tails of his coat and dances lightly between the glasses.)

Shmereh (singing)
“Oh, Jews, precious Jews, whatever we are, we are; but Jews we'll ever be.”

Klavne
Vaveh, dear heart, jump into my sled and fetch my family here. Let us all be merry. Shmereh, my son will take your daughter just as she stands. People, be witness: That Klavne gives his son to Shmereh’s daughter without a dowry…without…“Oh, whatever we are, we are…” Why don’t you sing, folks? Take

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