The Eternal Song
PESEH Well, what can I do? Of course, he’s hungry.
I know that. He’s had a bit of milk this morn- ing, and since then not a thing in his mouth. And just think of it—his dad, the good-for- nothing, may his name be wiped out, has been loafing about the streets all day! May a sud- den death overtake him, good God! How late is it?
CHANNAH It is already eleven o'clock.
PESEH Eleven already—and no sign of him!
(David enters. He is a strong, sturdy young man of twenty.)
DAVID (cheerily) Good evening. What, Reb Gerson’s wife is sad again? Good evening to you.
PESEH A good year to you. You haven’t seen my old man, have you?
DAVID We were at work together all day long. He left at seven with the other hands, but six of us were told to come back for overtime.
PESEH You don’t know where he went after leaving the factory, do you?
DAVID Do I know? Maybe the others packed him off to a saloon.
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