The Eternal Song
CHANNAH (after a pause, falteringly) When you marry—you will
DAVID (interrupting vehemently) No! No! No! But what—what were you going to say? Married, did you say? (Chid- ingly.) Ah, Channah, what are you talking about?
CHANNAH You said yourself you had gone to look at a bride .
DAVID The matchmaker stuffs my head full with his talk. Says he, “One should have his own little corner—someone to cook a spoonful of some- thing warm for him.” Maybe heis right. Only, I can’t bring myself to do it in just that way. I can’t, Channah...
CHANNAH (eagerly) David . . . (She is about to say something but suddenly becomes embarrassed—dumb.)
DAVID Tell me, Channah. I would really like to know what you think of all this. You are so clever. Oh, how I love to sit here and chat with you every night after work! I could sit this way all night, forgetting that five in the morning I must get up to go to the factory. I could forget God’s whole world this way! (dfter @ pause.) And when you tell me those pretty stories about the lovely princes and the be- witched princesses, then my heart grows so— so—so— (He gropes for the word to express his
emotion.) Yes, Channah. And after that I
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