I used to sell thirty cents' worth, and now I sell only two cents' worth. At that time I had no "noblemen's" cider, and now I have it, and yet I sell only two cents' worth now. Luck is changeable!

PURIKES.

Luck is changeable.

SARAH.

Yesterday my son Naum came and asked me: "Mother, where is father?" So I said to him: "What for do you want to know where father is? David Leizer, your father, is a sick, unfortunate man, who is going to die soon; and he goes to the seashore to commune in solitude with God about his fate. Don't disturb your father, he is going to die soon—you had better tell me what you want to say." And Naum answered: "I will tell you, mother,—I am beginning to die!" That is what Naum answered. When David Leizer, my old husband, came home, I said to him: "You are still steadfast in your uprightness! Blaspheme God and die! For your son Naum is already beginning to die."

CONTENTS

Sonka is weeping more loudly.

PURIKES.

CONTENTS

Suddenly looks around, frightened.

But what—But what if people should stop buying things altogether?

SARAH.

CONTENTS

Frightened.

What do you mean?

PURIKES.

CONTENTS

With ever growing fear.

What if people should suddenly stop buying things altogether? What are we to do then?

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