The Eternal Song
more—more—without end—always—always. . . Are you happy, Channah?
CHANNAH Oh, so happy!
DAVID Do you love me much, Channah?
CHANNAH (with a catch in her breath) Oh, so much!
DAVID And will you never, never stop loving me?
CHANNAH Never! Never while I live! Can one stop lov- ing? What are you talking about, David?
DAVID My golden Channah!
(He kisses her hands. She yields them freely. Gerson is heard outside, singing tipsily. As he enters, they start apart. She begins to sew quickly and David rises to meet Gerson. Gerson lurches in. He sees nobody. He removes his coat and flings it into a corner, then his vest; he now stands dressed in his blue working shirt, singing the while.)
GERSON Hark! Ye Sons of Noah, hark! Whiskey’s King—it’s power mark. Quaff deep, quaff deep of Might! You’re joyous but you’re tight!
DAVID (approaching him timidly)
Reb Gerson!
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