503 ASCH
five fingers, they can earn all we need. I have two hundred rubles in the bank, saved from my earnings. What do I want with more?"
They are silent for a moment, with downcast eyes. "And your mother?" she asks quietly.
"Will you please tell me, are you marrying my mother or me? And what concern is she of yours?"
Feigele is silent.
"I tell you again, I'll take you just as you are and you'll take me the same, will you ?"
She puts the corner of her apron to her eyes, and cries quietly to herself.
There is stillness around. The lamp sheds its bright- ness over the little room, and casts their shadows onto the walls.
The heavy sleeping of the old people is audible behind the curtain.
And her head lies on his shoulder, and her thick black hair hides his face.
"How kind you are, Eleazar," she whispers through her tears.
And she opens her whole heart to him, tells him how it is with them now, how bad things are, they have pawned everything, and there is nothing left for to- morrow, nothing but the dowry !
He clasps her lovingly, and dries her cheeks with her apron end, saying: "Don't cry, Feigele, don't cry. It will all come right. And to-morrow, mind, you are to go to the postoffice, and take a little of the dowry, as much as you need, until your father, God helping, is well again, and able to earn something, and then . . . "
