The Eternal Song
DAVID Yes, yes. And if I wanted to rush I could make more. When I’ll have a wife, I’ll beat all the other workers.
CHANNAH (startled) David—you are going to be married—then?
DAVID No—that is—as for wanting to, yes—but .. .
CHANNAH But, what?
DAVID Do I know? They want to marry me off. Yesterday the matchmaker took me over to see a girl, A thousand gulden she has and a notion-stall on the market place.
CHANNAH (catching her breath) And you went—to see?
DAVID Yes. I stood on the street and looked. The matchmaker wanted me to go in and buy a packet of cigarettes as an excuse. He pushed me along by force. But I took it into my head I didn’t want to because it happened to be a Monday. I can’t understand how one can come to a perfectly strange girl with a matchmaker, and say to her—just off-hand—“Be my wife” —And done! How? When? What? Sup- pose someone said such a thing to you, Channah, what would you say, ha, what?
CHANNAH ; I am a Jewish daughter. I would have to do as my father and mother said, only...
I would be very unhappy!
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