THE GOD OF VENGEANCE
"don't know?" The truth, now! Are you still —
Rifkele, tearing herself from Yekel.
It was all right for mamma, wasn't it? And it was all right for you, wasn't it? I know all about it! . . . (Hiding her face in her hands.) Beat me! Beat me! Go on!
Sarah
Rushes over to Rifkele with arms upraised, ready to strike her. Yekel casts Sarah aside with a single blow, and falls into a chair, pale and breathing hard. Rifkele sinks to the floor, weeping hysterically. A long pause. Sarah, plainly upset, paces aimlessly about the room. After a while she takes a broom and begins to sweep the room; her silence betrays a feeling of guilt. . . She then approaches Rifkele, lifts her by the hand and leads her off stage into the room. Yekel is rooted to his place. Sarah returns, runs over to Yekel, grasps his hand and entreats him.
Yekel, consider what you are doing, for God's sake! Who need know anything? (Pause.) Calm yourself. (Pause.) Rifkele will get married and we'll live to have plenty of happiness from her. (Yekel is silent.) Put on your coat, — they'll soon be here. (Abruptly.) Who need know anything at all about it?
Yekel
Silent. Stares vacantly into space.
[ 95 ]
