The Stranger
pair of heavy spectacles.) Ha! Ha! How many ears I’ve pierced! Come near the window.
Fraidele
Oh, I’m afraid!
The Old Woman
Then we needn’t do it!
Fraidele
Oh, I promise, I’ll not cry. Here’s my right ear… (Fraidele bites her lip and draws up her shoulders as the old woman pierces the ear.)
The Old Woman
Does it hurt, ha? When one wants to wear ear-rings…
Fraidele
Ha—I hear the thread going through…Oooh—phah!
The Old Woman
Nu, done! It won’t hurt so much now. The other will go easier. Give the left ear here. (She pierces the left ear.) Now you’ve got it—safely over. In three months you can cut the thread and pull it out. And here are the ear-rings. They say they’re gold. Hide them so you won't lose them.
Fraidele
Oh, won’t it be pretty! I’ll hide them on the shelf near the almonds.
The Old Woman
Where will you put the dress?
Fraidele
The dress? I’ll wait till papa comes. I couldn’t take it without him. He’ll pay you for it.
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