»i им m •r^' fft) t, ■^t ilr^i''* ; . .. Щ il|l|,:j;.:-"it!^;, !"*'■• J',"' I- ij; il'l''' ' • K-' Iff,'*' ' - «;'. . ,ri: If. ',-,(> '. n'Vil' ,.,5 л:Г'н#|1' ir':'|^::i ■■' * "l^^ •f^^■ i '.'.■'t *< Vr^' 9^N UBR^Rl "^•'■'^:::l^^' r\\ гГ,0 PJ ЯЬ5 РЬ8 UNIVERSITV or CALIFOBNl» 5AN OIEOO 3 1822 01222 8961 ^rm^^F' THE TREASURE THE TREASURE A DRAMA IN FOUR ACTS By DAVID PINSKI TRANSLATED BY LUDWIG LEWISOHN NEW YORK B. W. HUEBSCH MCMXV COPYHIOHT, 191.J, BY H. W. HUEBSCH First printing, September, 1915 Second printing, May, 1919 РЕГКТЕО IV и. S. A. INTRODUCTION The conscious aлvakcning of the Jewish folk- soul during the past hundred years has had two results. One of them is Zionism — the hope and work for a Jewish state; the other and perhaps more solid result has taken the shape of a national literature. The race has not ceased to contribute to the art and thought of the Aryan Avorld ; such names as Arthur Schnitzler and Henri Bergson bear ample witness to that fact. But in addition there has arisen a literature distinctly Jewish in theme, spirit and method. This literature, лу1исЬ is chiefly the product of the Russian ghetto, is marked by a large and sad simplicity, by excellent technique, and by an austerely honest realism. The medium of a small portion of it is Hebrew, but of the far greater part Yiddish, a language which the philologist may call a dialect, into which, however, the most peculiar of peoples has breathed the very spirit of its life. The Yiddish drama has lagged, necessarily, be- hind both fiction and poetry. The people of the Russian ghetto are incredibly poor and oppressed with incredible cruelty by their barbarous gov- ernors. Not until tlie Jewish stages arose and flourished so admirably in the city of New York has there been any vital chance for the drama. Among contemporary Jewisli playлvrights David Pinski (b. 1872) is remarkable for this: tliat he 5 в INTRODUCTION combines with his sensitive and intimate knowl- edge of his people's life a thorough familiarity with the dominant forms and moods of Western litera- ture. He studied this literature as well as phi- losophy at Berlin and at Columbia University; he has been the friend and comrade of the liv- ing masters of the German drama; he is coming into continually closer contact with the intel- lectual and artistic life of America- Hence, though his work is so deeply rooted in an ethnic soil, he has the best chance of any contemporary Jew- ish writer of rising into the field of world lit- erature. Like all the more notable masters of the modern theatre he started out as a consistent nat- uralist, embodying in Eisik Scheftel and in other plays the struggle and tragedy of the Jewish pro- letariat; like them he has, in later years, culti- vated vision and imagination in Der eibiger Jud {The Eternal Jetv), Der stummer Moschiach (The Dumb Messiah) and in a series of exquisite plays in one act dealing with the loves of King David. These plays are written in a rhythmic prose created by Pinski himself. That prose is as subtly beautiful as Maeterlinck's or Yeats's: in passion and in reality the Jewish playwright surpasses both the Flemish and the Irish neo- romanticist. The Treasure (Der Schats) is the first play of the modem Jewish theatre to be offered to an English reading audience. It belongs to Pinski's middle period ; in a German translation it was pro- duced by Max Reinhardt at Berlin in 1910 and acknowledged to be a work of remarkable power and significance by so weighty a critic as Paul Schlentlier. And the play, in truth, illustrates INTRODUCTION 7 well what I have said of Pinski's ability to trans- cend the merely ethnic, the merely national. The scene is a Jewish town in the Russian pale; you cannot conceive of the characters or the action as other than Jewish. Yet, having read this bit- ter comedy, you are aware of the poet's larger vision dealing with man's struggle for earthly possessions and with the deep truth that such pos- sessions give liberty to life and flexibility and even its transitory touch of romance. That is the mean- ing of the dreams of Tille and of those irrespon- sible deeds of hers that furnish the action of the play. It is youth hungering for freedom and romance from the galling chains of poverty. About Tille is gathered a group of men and women whom the pursuit of money has made sor- did and hard and ugly. And yet in the voices of all the seekers in that graveyard there is the tremor of a fairer hope. For the hideous struggle after money is, in the last analysis, actuated by a dream of liberty and beauty and light. This is the riddle of the mystic epilogue. The language of the play may not be without difficulties for the reader even in an English version. The order of words, the inflection of the voice in written and spoken Yiddish constantly betray the racial memory of the rhythm of Hebrew. I have not dared to sacrifice these peculiarities entirely, for they are of the soul of the work. Neither have I struck out all the imprecations — so strange to an American ear — that abound in the speech of the Jewish folk. For they express the almost angry tenderness of a people ac- quainted with grief, the "bitter heart" that has often almost forgotten the uses of delight. They 8 INTRODUCTION hnve nothing in common with an Aryan curse. Under their harshness is the echo of immemorial sorrow, under their sharp impatience a power to endure in faith and hope from generation to gen- eration. LUDWIG LEЛVISOHN. The Oliio State University, May, 1915. PERSONS OF THE PLAY CHONE, the grave-digger. JACHNE-BRAINE, his wife. TIIXE, his daughter. JUDKE, his son. THE MARRIAGE BROKER. SOSKIN, the leading citizen and capitalist. THE PRESIDENT OF THE CONGREGATION. TWO MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY FOR PRO- VIDING DOWRIES FOR POOR MAIDENS. TWO MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE CARE OF THE SICK. MEMBERS OF THE FRATERNAL BURIAL SOCIETY. THE LAWYER. A YOUNG COUPLE. AN OLD COUPLE. THREE YOUNG MEN. AN HYSTERICAL WOMAN. A YOUNG WOMAN. HER LITTLE DAUGHTER. FOUR SMALL BOYS. A FEARFUL GROUP. A MERRY GROUP. THE MAN WHO HAS GONE MAD. HIS WIFE. POPULACE. THE HOLY RABBI. Ч , ,, т.т>тт ^^.ттт, THE DEAD. }/«/йв EPILOGUE. The action takes place on tlie fast day wliicli com- memorates the destruction of Jerusalem, and on the day following. The Treasure ACT I •iohite-washed room in the grave-digger's dwell- ing. In the rear xcall are two windows that give on the graveyard. Between them stands an old, worn leather sofa. In the left wall is a door that leads into the kitchen and into the outer hall; to the left of this door the kitchen stove projects into the room. Beside it stands a bench. To the right of the door is an old cupboard with glass-doors and drawers. In the foreground to the right stands a bed. Gar- ments, wrapped in a sheet, hang above it. Next to the bed there is another door which leads to the adjoining room. In front of the sofa stands a folding table. Several chairs stand about at haphazard; the whole room, is pervaded by disorder. The bed is not made and feather beds are lying about on the sofa. In the extreme foreground, in the middle, JACHNE-BRAINE is sitting on a low footstool. She has no shoes on and her toes protrude from her torn stockings. An old red cloth is tied about her head. She reads aloud the songs of lamentation and weeps the while, tillk sits to the right by the open window, coquettishly leaning back in her chair. She has on an old, 9 10 THE TREASURE [Act I •worn green bodice. Her hair is elaborately combed and gathered in a high knot. There are curls over her forehead. In front of her on the window sill stands a small mirror in which she looks at herself often as she arranges her curls. Various people are seen to be pass- ing the window without. JACHNE-BRAINE [Reads slowly but scarcely separating the words and with poor expression.'] The Israelites who used on the Passover — to eat of the sacrifice of the Passover, they have eaten for hunger — the heads of asses and — and satisfied their hunger with bit- terness. Our sins are wound about our necks and — God hath said: I — will remember your sins — and — ye shall eat of the flesh of your children. And because your daughters — [Outside from a distance is heard the sound of many voices and above it loud lamentation and cries of woe.] [tille gazes into the mirror, arranges her curls and then looks out of the window.] JACHNE-BRAINE Oh! Oh! Oh! . . . There's the funeral now! . . . And you're looking into the mirror. It's a widow, not a widower. [She continues her reading.] And because the daughters of Jerusalem have boasted of their beauty and have said, when — the Babylonians come — they Avill make us to be their wives and — therefore it came to pass that — when the Babylonians came to Jerusalem and — and took them unto themselves, God smote them with leprosy and — when the Babylonians saw this — they cast Act I] THE TREASURE 11 forth the women — and the wheel of the chariot passed over their head and — [She interrupts her reading and turns to tille.] Better would it be for you to listen than to look at yourself in the mirror. [She continues her reading.] And be- cause the daughters of Jerusalem boasted of their beauty and — [Once more she interrupts herself.] Usually you go about uncombed for days. Just to-day because it is a fast-day and forbidden, you go and set a tower on your head. [Reads.] . . . have said, when the Babylonians come, they will make us to be their wives and — [Interrupting herself anew.] Go away from the window, I say! Away from it! No Babylonians will be passing and no man will come to the graveyard on the ninth of Ab to look for a bride ! TILLE [Turns to her, good-naturedly.] Don't let me disturb you. You stick to your lamentations. JACHNE-BRAINE Look, if you please! There she sits spreading herself and looking into the mirror! [Reads,] Therefore it came to pass that — when the Baby- lonians came to Jerusalem — and took them unto themselves, God smote them with leprosy and — when the Babylonians saw this — [She breaks off.] Look, how she sits ! Go away from the win- dow, I say ! A leprosy is what you deserve ! Oh, thou great God ! [A tumult of voices and the lamenting cries of many women approach. A funeral procession passes by the window. One can see the black-covered li THE TREASURE [Act I bier, carried by several men and accompanied by many people. There arises the heart-rend- ing cry of a young woman: " Why have you left me ! Who will care for me now ! Oh, my seven unhappy children! Take me unto thee, Almighty Father! " The lament and the noise die away.'] TILLE Seven orphans ! Frightful ! JACHNE-BRAINE And you sit and stare in the mirror! TILLE WTiat will the poor woman do? She will starve. An eternal widow. Who will marry the mother of seven children? JACHNE-BRAINE Especially when the maidens sit at the window and stire their eyes out of their heads. TILLE Oh, do stop ! Do you find that in your lamenta- tions? JACHNE-BRAINE In my lamentations it is written that you are to put away the mirror and go from the window ! TILLE Wliy does it vex you that I sit here? Do you grudge me even that? Act I] THE TREASURE 13 JACHNE-BRAINE You are not to sit at the window. It would be better for you to sit here too and read lamentations. TILLE I never get out on the street; I can't show my- self among people — I have nothing to put on. So at least let me sit by the window and see a few human beings. And when am I to do it except at a funeral or on a fast day when many people come to the graveyard.'' JACHNE-BRAINE Talk to her! What's the use? When people come she has to sit down there as in a show-win- dow! TILLE And why shouldn't I ? [Laughing merrily.'] Come here and look! There goes a handsome young man ! 'Tis a pleasure to see him. Look now ! . . . [Looking at her image in the mirror.] And I imagine that, from the moment he catches sight of me, he keeps on gazing and gazing and doesn't take his eyes from me. And then he comes nearer, and still nearer . . . JACHNE-BRAINE [Jumps up.] This minute you go away from the window ! TILLE Oh, he isn't looking; he isn't looking at all. He doesn't even see me. Oh, you haven't a trace of imagination ! 14 THE TREASURE [Act I JACHNE-BRAINE [Sitting down again.'] Ah, what a girl ! What a girl! TILLE You don't even understand what it is to dream. JACHNE-BRAINE Of course not! Hear her! I don't know what it is to dream. I wish all my bad dreams would go into your head. . . . TILLE I mean waking dreams. To be awake and dream ... to sit here and dream . . . JACHNE-BRAINE A great happiness that must be, to be sure! Leave off rather disturbing me and let me read on. And you go away from the window. It's not your business to sit there and dream. [With bitter scorn.'] Dream! [She reads once more.'\ And when they saw this they east them forth . . . TILLE Oh, it is beautiful to dream! Like a lovely story. You forget yourself. You are wafted far away. . . . You become a different creature. Here I sit and think and think and suddenly I am none other than Lady Rothschild. JACHNE-BRAINE No more and no less, eh.'' Act I] THE TREASURE 15 TILLE Rothschild's bride! And why not! He is rich himself and doesn't need a dowry. And so I im- agine how he fills great sacks with gold and jour- neys out into the world to seek a wife. And he travels and travels until he comes to our town and sees me — he comes to look at the graveyard and finds me sitting by the window. JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, do stop talking. It makes me quite sick. You ought to be locked up in a madhouse. TILLE And he falls down upon his knees before me and cries out: I love you. I am Rothschild. Will you be my wife.'' JACHNE-BRAINE Will you stop? I'll throw something at you. TILLE [Laughs.'] Isn't it lovely? Eh? And some- times I imagine that a count is coming. . . . JACHNE-BRAINE What ? A Christian — of all things ! TILLE Oh, I merely imagine it. One may imagine any- thing. JACHNE-BRAINE Fine imaginations — fine ! Like those in my lamentations here: The daughters of Jerusalem 16 THE TREASURE [Act I have boasted of their beauty and have said, when the Babylonians come. . . . May death come upon you ! Just on a fast day she has nothing better to do than to sit there and imagine the devil knows what. TILLE Well, what harm is there? Marriage is a pious and a Jewish matter and so is money. And I dream of marriage and of heaps of money. When I begin to think of all that money . . . JACHNE-BRAINE Stop talking, I tell you, stop talking and let me read ! TILLE Do let me go on ! You can hear me tell what I would do if I had all that money. I tell you, mother, it profits one to sell one's last shift in order to become rich. I would rule the whole world. I feel how I'm becoming clever. . . . JACHNE-BRAINE Fy on you! [Angrily and eagerly she begins to read again.'] And He hath made heavier my sor- row and hath made a mockery of me before all the heathen. JUDKE [Enters. He has one deformed arm and one deformed leg. The saliva runs continually from his mouth. Sparse, thin beard and long, uncombed hair under a torn cap. He is clad in rags. Weep- ing.'] Hu . . . hu . . . hu . . . hu . . . Act I] THE TREASURE 1Г TILLE Look ! What's the matter with you, Judke ? JACHNE-BRAINE [Irritably.'] Why do you cry? What ails you? JUDKE [Weeping.] Hu . . . hu . . . hu . . . buried dog. ... I buried Schutschke. . . . JACHNE-BRAINE A fine cause for mourning. [Mocking him.] Hu . . . hu . . . [tille laughs.] JUDKE [Casts an enraged look at her and cries out.] Schutschke dead ! Schutschke buried. You no laugh. . . . [Standing by the bench with his face to the stove he continues to zceep.] I love him . . . [Breaks out in unconscious imitation of the voice of the wailing widow.] Why have you deserted me.'' [Throws himself, face downward, on the bench and howls.] [tille laughs but interrupts herself at once and lays her hand over her mouth.] JUDKE [Approaches tille. His face is distorted with rage.] You stop laughing or I kill you ... I throttle you. [He grinds his teeth and stretches out toward her the clenched fist of his unimpaired right arm.] 18 THE TREASURE [Act I TILLE [^Jumps up, pets and soothes him.'] No^ no, Judke. I'm not laughing. I didn't mean to laugh. It just — just came of itself. Don't be angry, and don't cry, Judke. Don't cry, you poor little creature, you ! JUDKE You always laugh. See it in your eyes. TILLE I am not laughing. Only my eyes laugh. But not I. I'm quite serious. It's a real pity. JUDKE I loved him so . . . TILLE And he was a very good dog. JUDKE Could do anything. Stand on hind legs. Give paw. [Weeps.] Hu . . . hu . . . JACHNE-BRAINE Stop howling ! Stop ! Just listen to that howl- ing! JUDKE [Angrily.] Hay! Hay! Your fault Schutschke dead. You broke his leg. JACHNE-BRAINE If I'd only broken your leg, too ! Act I] THE TREASURE 19 JUDKE Hay! Hay! Wait. I found money. Give you nothing. I dug grave for Schutschke and found golden money. [He takes something from his pocket that he clasps in his fist.^ See? But I . . . JACHNE-BRAINE ICries out.] What did you find.'' TILLE [Looks into his hand.] Oh, they're really golden coins. I could swear they are Imperials. JACHNE-BRAINE Imperials you are saying? Imperials? Many? JUDKE [Grinning to jachne-braine.] You see? [He puts his hand back into his pocket.] JACHNE-BRAINE Where did you find them? How many? JUDKE [As before.] Hay . . . hay . . . hay . . , JACHNE-BRAINE [To TILLE.] Many? Has he many? TILLE Quite a little pile. Certainly more than ten. [Го JUDKE.] Show them — Let's count them. 20 THE TREASURE [Act I JUDKE No! Won't! She shan't see! JACHNE-BRAINE This minute you're to show me what you've found. [To TiLLE.] How much is an Imperial? Is it much money? TILLE How do I know? A great deal, I think. Fif- teen rubles certainly. JACHNE-BRAINE Woe is me ! Fifteen rubles ! How many did you say he had there? More than ten? More than ten certainly, if not even a great many more. A whole heap. Two hundred rubles perhaps. JACHNE-BRAINE [Gets up and turns to judke xvith decision.^ This minute you give up what you've found. Do you hear what your mother is saying or not? This minute turn it over ! Two hundred rubles ! Woe is me I If you don't give it to me this minute in kindness, I'll get a stick and leave not a whole limb on your body. JUDKE [Cries like one possessed with wild eyes and foaming mouth.] No! No! No! Won't give! Act I] THE TREASURE 21 TILLE [Whispers to jachne-braine.] Do let him be. He'll give it later of his own accord. JACHNE-BRAINE Woe is me ! Two hundred rubles ! Did you ever hear of letting a crazy person keep two hun- dred rubles.'' I'll dress myself and run to the police ! JUDKE [Beside himself.] I'll throttle you! Throttle you! TILLE Let be I Why must you always provoke him ? Do you want his attacks to begin again? [To JUDKE.] Don't be afraid, Judke. She won't go to the police. JACHNE-BRAINE Who knows? Maybe he even stole it! TILLE Oh, why do you always talk that way? You know very well that he didn't steal it. JUDKE Didn't steal! Stole yourself! I don't steal. [To TILLE, as he sxciftly draws his hand from his pocket and presses the money, coin by coin, into her hand.] There — all of it. Give it to you! Give her nothing — you hear ? — nothing ! I throttle her ! Stole herself! [In an attack of con- vulsions he falls down beside the bench.] 22 THE TREASURE [Act I [tille, who has stood surprised with both hands full of money, slips the coins into her pocket and hastens to judke. She opens his shirt, then turns into the kitchen and returns with a vessel of water. "] JACHNE-BRAINE [Searches judke's pockets in the meantime and opens his hands.] Nothing left on him. [She tries to reach tille's pocket.] TILLE [Busy with JUDKE thrusts jachne-braine's hand away with her elbow.] Let be! Wait! There's time enough! JACHNE-BRAINE But give me the money ! TILLE Patience! We'll think that over further! We must discuss that a bit more. [She rises and places the vessel on the bench.] JACHNE-BRAINE Are you crazy or what ails you? ThiiJc it over indeed! What is there to discuss? This minute you're to hand over the money! TILLE Yes, if I want to! If it suits me! But I haven't even the right. You heard yourself that he forbade me to give it to you. Act I] THE TREASURE 23 JACHNE-BRAINE Are you serious? TILLE Quite serious. Since he made me a present of the money it belongs to me. And what he forbade me I mustn't do. But because I'm good. . . . Come, hold out your hand and I'll count into it. [She places the coins into jachne-braine's hand.'] One, two, three. . . . Do you see, golden Im- perials. Now you're like a magnate's wife. But — be — silent ! Tell him nothing. Wait ! Here's another for you. Four. Now you're really rich. For good riddance there is one more. Five ! And now say thank you. JACHNE-BRAINE " [Holds her hand outstretched.] And is that all.'' Are you serious? TILLE [Nods.] Yes. You won't get any more. JACHNE-BRAINE And now I'll take the stick and I'll . . . oh . . . Five pieces is лvhat she gives me ! TILLE You don't want them? Well, then give them back. JACHNE-BRAINE I'll give you what will make you wonder where you have come from ! Out with the money ! All of it! 34 THE TREASURE [Act I TILLE People are always discontented, whatever you do. Oh! JACHNE-BRAINE All of the money you are to give me! Or else, look out! . . . CHONE [Coatless, his ritual garment over shirt and browsers, girded with a belt, enters hastily. '\ What is this crying for ? It can be heard outside ! What money? What's the matter? There he lies and she . . . JACHNE-BRAINE Tell her to turn over the money at once. Two hundred rubles. Woe is me! [tille goes to the window and closes if.] CHONE What money? What two hundred rubles? What chatter is this? JACHNE-BRAINE Tell her to turn it over! Judke found it! What right has she to collect it? TILLE That's not the way it is. I collected nothing. He gave it to me himself. CHONE {^Spits.l I cannot make head or tail of your talk. Will you explain clearly at last? Act I] THE TREASURE 25 JACHNE-BRAINE Listen to his words ! Suddenly he has stopped understanding. What is it you don't understand? What? . . . Judke buried the dog and found golden Imperials. ... Is that clear? Have you understood now? And now tell her she is to give up the money. What right has she to take it? Have you understood at last? Why do you stand there like a block of wood? Why do you let her stand there? [To tille.] Out with the money! Do you hear? CHONE Won't you wait a second and let me consider? Judke has buried the dog and found golden Im- perials. . . . Where did he bury him? Where did he find the coins? JACHNE-BRAINE Do I know ? . . . Could I even speak to him ? CHONE [Turning his eyes to tille.] Where did he bury him? Where did he find them? JACHNE-BRAINE [Mockingly. "] Where did he bury him ? Where did he find them? Why does that interest you so? He has made a find — and that's enough. Now see to it — CHONE Oh, you wise one! Perhaps there is in that place . . . 26 THE TREASURE [Act I TILLE Yes ! Truly ! [She hastens to judke.] JACHNE-BRAINE What does that mean: Perhaps there is . . . CHONE [Looks about to see that no strange ears are lis- tening and whispers.^ Perhaps there is in that place — a treasure ? JACHNE-BRAINE A — A — [She drops on a chair. '\ Ah, I feel sick! My legs give way under me. It's true. TILLE Judke, Judke! Don't you hear! He hasn't come to himself yet. CHONE How is it that it didn't occur to you to ask at once ! May you burn . . . ! Ay, quarrel — that's what you can do. I'll beat you to death! I'll tear you limb from limb. And just to-day the graveyard is full of people. TILLE He is sure to have filled the hole. So why do you cry out.'' CHONE She wants to be in the right, in addition ! Why do I cry out? What? . . . And now hand over the money at once! Turn it over this minute! Act I] THE TREASURE 27 [To JACHNE-BRAiNE.] How mucH did he find? How much? JACHNE-BRAINE Did I count it? Here are five. TILLE And those I presented to her. JACHNE-BRAINE Do you hear those words? Behold our bene- factress ! A whole heap she has on her still ! More than ten pieces certainly. CHONE [Grasps the five coins like a hungry man and looks at them.l Imperials ! Imperials ! A treas- ure! Assuredly a treasure. Oh, that I might bury you all on one day! [To tille.] Out with the money ! Turn it over to me this minute ! TILLE Do you really mean that? Come, you are jest- ing! CHONE You will give me all the money you have in your pocket. [With clenched teeih-l Out with it! TILLB I'd be a fool to do that! [cHONE rushes toward Лег.] 28 THE TREASURE [Act I TILLE [Steps swiftly between the table and the sofa.'\ I am to give you all the money and then perish until I get a kopek, and beg you for every trifle. Judke made me a present of the money, and so it is mine. I won't have it taken from me. It is my dowry now. Did you provide me with one perhaps? I don't want to stay single till I'm old and grey. A dowry is what I must have. Give me my dowry ! Give me my dowry! CHONE Yes . . . but why did you take it all? We have need of it too. TILLE I did not take it all. You have a stare. CHONE The five Imperials? TILLE It's enough for you. You'll soon be rid of me. And if you need more you will always be able to get it in my house. More easily than I in yours. I don't understand at all why you should want to take the money from me ! By what right ? What do I want to do with it? Provide for myself. I just want to buy ever so modest a husband. CHONE [To JACHNE-BRAiNE.] What do you say to your daughter, eh? JACHNE-BRAINE May she burst ... oh, my God, my God! Act I] THE TREASURE CHONE I only want to avoid . . . Come now ! Don't trouble yourself. You know that nothing comes back from the graveyard. [juDKE arises suddenly.^ TILLE Judke is getting up. You had better ask him . . . CHONE You won't escape me anyhow! Hay, Judke! [judke goes to the door.'\ CHONE Judke, where did you find the Imperials? [judke goes on.] CHONE Come here, I tell you! Where did you bury Schutschke .'' JUDKE [At the door.'\ Won't tell. CHONE Why not tell.'' I command you! JUDKE Won't. 30 THE TREASURE [Act I CHONE Where was it? In the graveyard? Behind the wall? On the old field? Or on the new one? JUDKE [Grinning.'] Hay . . . hay . . . hay . . .! CHONE [Takes off his belt.'] You will tell me at once. If not — do you see this belt? I'll beat you black and blue. JUDKE [Clenches his fist and hisses.] Won't tell. [He runs out.] TILLE [About to follow him.] He'll tell me; I'll run after him. CHONE Aha! You want to sneak away, do you? TILLE I don't have to sneak oflP. But we ought to know where the hole is. We ought to see how things look here. Imagine, there is a whole treas- ure there! CHONE First I want the money that you have! TILLE You're starting again ! And in the meantime Judke runs off and we won't find him. [She comes from behind the table and starts for the door.] Act I] THE TREASURE 31 CHONE [Blocks her path.'] You will not leave the room till you've given me all the money. But he may even begin to dig again and then some one may see him. CHONE Give me the Imperials! TILLE I am only thinking of your advantage now. I have this money. JACHNE-BRAINE Let her be now! He may really begin to dig and then others will see it. TILLE A whole treasure may perhaps be lying there, and he thinks he needs just the few coins that I have. JACHNE-BRAINE You'd better run after Judke and let her go along. CHONE First I want the money that she is hiding. TILLE I could easily jump through the window, but if it is nothing to him to lose the treasure, it need be nothing to me either. Think what it means — 32 THE TREASURE [Act I a treasure! No, really, I'll jump out of the win- dow! \^She approaches the "window.} JACHNE-BRAINE Look, she'll really do it! [cHONE rushes toward tille.] JUDKE l^Returns weeping.} Hu . . . hu . . . hu . . . [/re extreme consternation they slowly turn upon him their astonished and questioning eyes.} JACHNE-BRAINE [Who is the first to find words.] ^\Tiat's wrong with you again ? What has happened there ? Has any one robbed you of anything? JUDKE I can't find Schutschke's grave. JACHNE-BRAINE There you are! CHONE What does it mean, you can't find it? JUDKE Forgot where I buried him. JACHNE-BRAINE O, woe is me! TILLE There you have your treasure now! Act I] THE TREASURE S3 CHONE What does it mean — forgotten ? JACHNE-BRAINE He lies ! JUDKE {^Angrily.'] Hay . . . hay . . . hay . . . TILLE He doesn't lie. Is it the first time that he for- gets things after one of his attacks? JACHNE-BRAINE [In despair.l That's what you get for bother- ing with crazy Judke! CHONE Can't you remember at all? Just whereabouts on the graveyard was it or where behind the grave- yard? JUDKE I buried him deep in the earth, filled the hole, put up a little board — gravestone — cut into it with my knife: " Schutschke, rest in peace." I don't know where any more — I . . . maybe wall . . . maybe tree . . . TILLE Shall we help you search? JUDKE I don't know where. I find no more. . . . [Stretches himself out on the bench and whines. 34 THE TREASURE [Act I ThrougK the open door at the right wailing and weeping are heard again.^ TILLE Now we must go and look for the little board all over the graveyard and all around it. JACHNE-BRAINE Of all things ! You can look long and hard ! TILLE You think there's not enough in it, eh? CHONE Who knows whether any Imperials are left there or whether he took them all with him? TILLE Who could make head or tail of what he said ? CHONE {^Enraged."] Oh, no, you couldn't do that! But you could drive him into convulsions — that's what you could do! TILLE Why do you cry out? It is not my fault that he fell into convulsions. CHONE It was certainly you who began at him! You! Didn't you have to hurry to wrench the Imperials from him! Act I] THE TREASURE 85 The same thing over and over again ! I wrenched nothing frona him and I didn't provoke him. Mother . . . CHONE May you be all struck down on the same day ! [To TiLLE.] But mark this: I have no time for you now and no strength, but I will get the money out of you to the last kopek. You will count it out to me on this very table. I'll beat you to death ! TILLE Oho! CHONE Be assured that you'll give it back to me to the last kopek. I have another burial to attend to now. Oh, that I could bury you all soon ! And don't go running about the graveyard now seeking Imperials; there are too many people. And hold your tongues, wiseacres that you are ! [Exit.^ TILLE He wants to take it away from me. A lot will he get. [She jumps suddenly on the bed, takes down the things that are hanging against the wall, a coat and a hat, and begins dressing herself in front of the mirror.] JACHNE-BRAINE Where are you running to? Where are you going.? 36 THE TREASURE [Act I TILLB To find a safe place for the money and provide for myself! JACHNE-BRAINE Where are you going with the money ? To noise it all about in the city? Hand the money over to me! TILLE Don't begin again, mother! Don't begin it all over again ! Oh, I tell you, it's a peculiar sensa- tion — having money in one's pocket. Do you know, mother, money warms you. If you knew how warm and safe I feel. Like a new human being in a new skin. Think of it! Tille Chone, the grave-digger's daughter, the eternal beggar, suddenly has money in her pocket! [She taps her pocket.'] Hear how it jingles! And Judke will remember and we will end by finding the whole treasure ! Oh, mother, the whole treasure ! Oh — oh — it makes me dizzy ! Why, we may become rich beyond imagination, we may become million- aires! Ah, I'll turn the whole world upside down. JACHNE-BRAINE Hear her trying to talk me into confusion! Do you think you'll get out of it.'' TILLE So, now I'm ready. Dressed and — elegant! To be sure my hat is ready to be thrown on the dunghill, and so is the coat and the gown above all. But I have money now. Mother, I feel that Act I] THE TREASURE 37 I must give you a kiss. [She runs up to Her and embraces Aer.] JACHNE-BRAINE [Thrusts her away.] Go away from me. Go in kindness, I advise you. [Trying to reach tille's pocket.] TILLE Hay! Let that be. [Pushes her hand away.] That's theft. That's not permitted. Now then, good-bye ! Good-bye, Judke ! Don't cry, Judke, and remember! [To jachne-braine.] And if he goes out on the graveyard — follow him ! Don't fall asleep over your lamentations. I'll be back later. [Hastens out.] JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, what a creature she is! What a creature! Oh, woe is me! [The sound of wailing now comes in from the side of the graveyard, jachne- braine as though hut now awakened goes groan- ing to the window and opens it. The wailing is now clearly heard. She stands there for a space, moans, and resumes her seat.] Treasures ! Treas- ures ! There is another burying ! Oh ! Oh ! Oh ! [She sits down and begins to read.] CURTAIN ACT II The same room in the dusk of evening. The table is covered with an old table-cloth. Upon it are a lit lamp, a samovar, a loaf of bread, some plates, spoons and knives, jachne- BRAiNE sits by the window at the right, sup- porting her head with her hand, judke sits on the bench. JACHNE-BRAINE Father will soon be back from the praying and she hasn't returned yet. Where could she have vanished to? Where? You might go to your aunt and see. JUDKE '[Angrily. 1 She'll come herself. JACHNE-BRAINE Ah, my heart tells me that she'll noise it abroad everywhere. And if people hear of it, луе'И have the whole town coming here to-day. They will all come and search. W^hy do you sit there? Why don't you go yourself and look for it? JUDKE I can't find. I don't know. I forgot. Not my business. 38 Act IIJ THE TREASURE 39 JACHNE-BRAINE Not his business! Forgotten is what he has! The heap of wretchedness ! Ah, луЬа1 children ! And the other one surely gads about and chatters. Well, father will show her ! [A carriage is heard drawing up. Then the outer door slams.] JACHNE-BRAINE [Jumps up.] Who is coming there? [tille enters. She wears a pretentious new gown, a lace hat with tall feathers, a sunshade of lace. She carries white gloves in one hand, a band- box and a package in the other. She has rings on two fingers of her left hand and earrings in her ears, jachne-braine a7id judke are dumb with astonishment, tille bursts out into loud laughter.] JACHNE-BRAINE [Recovering herself.] Oh, dear me, dear me ! Behold how she looks I Maybe you even came in a carriage? TILLE [Laughing.] Who else? In a cab. Now, motlier, only the bridegroom is lacking. My wed- ding clothes I have. [JValks up and down imi- tating the gait of a lady of fashion.] JUDKE [Laughs.] Ho — ho — hcc — hee I [He continues laughing, explosively, from time to time.] 40 THE TREASURE [Act II TILLE [Turning about.l How do you like me? How do you like the gown? I bought it at Seldo- witch's. JACHNE-BRAINE At S eldo witch's ? TILLE Well, what do you think? That I would go to the first comer? The gown was made for Schmer- ling's daughter, who died this week just before her wedding. I bought it for a mere song. And do look at the hat — it's a model straight from Paris. JACHNE-BRAINE Woe is me! I don't see how one can have the boldness to buy such a hat for oneself! God knows what it cost. TILLE Even so ! Haven't I the money ? Look how becoming it is to me. Lovely, eh? [Opens the band-box.^ And here I have — look and admire it — a cloak ! Straight from Gershunski. JACHNE-BRAINE You are crazy ! They didn't show you the door ? TILLE No one shows you the door if you pay with good money. Look how well the cloak fits me, as though it had been made to order. Don't you think so? You will see when I put on the dress and the cloak and the hat. . . . And there I have something else ! Act II] THE TREASURE 41 The sunshade. It's of silk. . . . Do look at the lace — and at the gloves here — fine kid ! JACHNE-BRAINE [Bursts out.] Woe is me! Have you spent all the money.'' TILLE Wait! The main thing is yet to come. JACHNE-BRAINE [Frightened.'] What is yet to come? TILLE [Shaking the earrings.] See how it sparkles and gleams ! And this is diamond ring number one, and this diamond ring number two. And now: What time is it? [She displays a gold •watch and chain.] Well, how do you like it? And now do you tliink this is all? I have ordered an- other gown at Seldowitch's. JACHNE-BRAINE All the money! All the money! TILLE Have patience. I have something else. But that is for you. She opens the package. There, look, stuff for a dress for you — real, pure wool. Twelve yards. It cost a lot of money. Just look at the kind of stuff it is ! JACHNE-BRAINE [Throws the cloth from her.] May you break your neck together with the stuff! Who begged you for it? Who? Ш THE TREASURE [Лет II TILLE Only my good heart. Because I am a good daughter. How can any one bear to buy for him- self alone.'' l^She lifts up the cloth from the floor and dusts it.^ All the days of your life you've not worn such woollen cloth and now you thгoлv it on the ground. It is a crime, surely. Come here, Judke, and look at this ! It's for suits of clothes for father and you. Princely garments ! JUDKE [Climbs from the bench, admires the cloth, gig- gling, and strokes it with his hand.^ Beautiful — beautiful ! Dress myself up fine ! We'll go walk- ing. Arm in arm . . . [Takes her arm and walks ■up and down the room with her. Then he remains standing and giggling admires, touching and snif- fing at them, her new clothes.^ JACHNE-BRAINE [Who is in a maze of astonishment.'] All the money! What's the sense of that.'' TILbE Sense! Sense! Must everything be sensible.'* JACHNE-BRAINE A fine answer ! Oh, it's too much ! There's your dowry now ! Give me my doAvry ! she cries, give me my dowry, and then goes and throлvs the money away, to the four лvinds, for nothing, to the devil ! And by this time surely the whole city knows it too. Act II] THE TREASURE 43 TILbE How then? You should have seen. The whole street was thick with people. From all corners they came running to see the Imperials. JACHNE-BRAINE Oh^ I'll kill myself! Oh, I'll take whatever comes to my hand and split your head ! The whole city will come here now to look for the treasure ! Calm yourself; no one will come. I'm not so stupid as to tell people that the treasure is still lying somewhere in the graveyard ! No, I did far better. I told them that we have it already. You should have seen! Now they all believe we are millionaires. JACHNE-BRAINE A great happiness for you, surely, to persuade them of it. Have you considered what your chat- ter may end in.'' TILLE And suppose I have considered? What then? And if I have considered it twenty times over — what of it? JACHNE-BRAINE Wliat of it? People Avill demand of millionaires that they behave like millionaires ! TILLE I have the nicest answers to that question — quite a number. In the first place: there are eco- 44 THE TREASURE [Act II nomical millionaires in the world. Well, we're that kind. In the second place . . . JACHNE-BRAINE Woe is me ! A fine mess she has made for us ! Your father will lose his position. The city won't let an economical millionaire remain grave-digger. On account of you we'll all have to go begging yet. TILLE Oh, don't let's have more wailing! Why should it cost him his position? Does he deprive any one else of it.'' Does he ask for more wages.'' And if he's a miserly millionaire, who is harmed by that.'' And, in the second place — do try to un- derstand — in the second place, we will hunt for the treasure in the meantime. And Judke will probably end by remembering, anyhow. JUDKE Can't at all. JACHNE-BRAINE Yes, and what happens if you find nothing but Schutschke's body.'' If nothing more can be found but the Imperials which Judke brought and which are now gone, too.'' TILLE Well, if everything fails . . . [she stands lost in thought for a space^ . . . then at all events I was for a little while a stingy millionaire's daugh- ter. I'll dress myself up in my gown and coat and hat, with my earrings and gloves and sunshade — I won't put the gloves on but hold them in шу Act II] THE TREASURE 45 hand so that the rings may be seen. Ah, how I'll dress myself up — so stylish — and I'll take a walk along the streets and the boulevard and you'll see — people will fairly stand on their heads ! Great and small will gaze after me ! JACHNE-BRAINE Ohj she's clean crazy, God knows ! TILLE Oh, just for a moment to feel like the daughter of a millionaire, to feel that all people look at you and run after you. JACHNE-BRAINE They run after crazy Zipa, too. That's the way they'll run after you — yes ! TILLE You don't know how fine it is! If you could only have been there ! How they all looked at me ! With what respect! This is the way I walked with my head high and with an expression . . . this way. . . . Oh, how well I could act the part of a millionaire's daughter! And you'll see! I'll be one yet! JACHNE-BRAINE Well, what do you say to that? Of what are you persuading yourself .»* What.»* TILLE Oh, you don't understand that! You don't un- derstand that! 46 THE Treasure [act ir JACHNE-BRAINE And if nothing comes of the whole business, how will you look then? Will you be anxious then to show yourself on the street? TILLE Always how and why and wherefore ! . . . The devil take it! For the morrow let God trouble borrow! In the meantime I'm a millionaire! Oh, what a lovely gown I've ordered! I don't know myself where I get my knowledge of the fashions. I suppose it is because if one has money one has good taste too. JACHNE-BRAINE You could find no better time either to trick yourself out than a fast day. TILLE Didn't the merchants sell me their wares? For what purpose do they sit in their shops to-day? If they hadn't been sitting there I might not have bought anything at all. For as I Avent along I didn't really know лvhether I should spend the money or carry it to the bank. But when I passed by Seldowitch's and saw exhibited in the window the gown for Schmerling's daughter at half price — then I said to myself: Ah, one has only one life to live ! And where is it written that Tille, the daughter of Chone the grave-digger, must go about like a beggar all her life long? What will be, will be. The money is found, whatever happens. JACHNE-BRAINE You considered well not to tell us that! Act II] THE TREASURE 47 TILLE And then suddenly the desire overcame me to play the part of a millionaire! Quite simply! The thought darted through my mind. And the shops were open round about . . . JACHNE-BRAINE One would think you are fasting. Where did you take the strength from the whole day.'' . . . TILLE Ha, ha, ha ! Millionaires don't fast. From the Parisian modiste's I went to Leon's confectionery shop and ordered something. JACHNE-BRAINE May it jump out at your throat! That you had choked at the first bite! Go out of my sight, you renegade, or I'll scratch your eyes out! Oh, I — I—. TILLE [Laughs.^ And oh, how delightful the refresh- ment was after fasting ! Wouldn't you like to eat something too? Come with me and I'll treat you. JACHNE-BRAINB May death come upon you ! Oh, my God ! May He treat you -with wounds ! What a wench ! TILLE Well, as you please! Ah, but it's splendid to have a great deal of money ! And come quickly, mother, quickly, and I'll tell you something in con- 48 THE TREASURE [Act II fidence. If I wanted to now ... I could have a dozen men. JACHNE-BRAINE There she is ! That's all she has in her mind — men . . . men ! TILLE Don't you know that, mother.'' That's the main thing ! JACHNE-BRAINE Fy upon you and your thoughts ! Well it is for you that I haven't the strength now, otherwise — [Гйе opening of the outer door is heard.'] There comes your father now from the praying . . . CHONB [In a worn, greasy black coat over his ritual garment, a stick in his hand, enters very excit- edly. "] Well, didn't I tell you! . . . [He sees TILLE and remains standing open-mouthed.'} Look at her, truly ! How she is tricked out ! [tille laughs again."] CHONE [To JACHNE-BRAINE.] Do you know what she has done.'' She'll end by ruining us entirely! JACHNE-BRAINE What is it? What has happened? CHONE [To TILLE.] I'll tear those things on you to rags! I'll drive you out of the house! Act II] THE TREASURE 49 TILLE Why do you cry so? What have I done that is so terrible? CHONE She asks ! — the shameless one ! She has trumpeted it forth in the whole city that we have found a treasure. She's thrown the money about just as . . , just as if it were true really! And now she asks what she's done ! TILLE Well, as a matter of fact, what? CHONE Do you hear her? She asks! You lump of clay with two eyes ! You animal without under- standing! Black and blue will I beat you. TILLE You will, you will. . . . Why don't you rather sit down and drink your tea and break your fast. CHONE But you have already broken your fast, haven't you — at the confectioner's ? JACHNE-BRAINE Even that you know already? CHONE What do you think? The whole town is speak- ing of it! In the synagogue they fairly stood on their heads. Do you think I could pray? Do 50 THE TREASURE [Act II you think anybody at all could pray? No one talked of anything else but of her and of her treas- ure! Was there anybody that didn't come to me and pump me? The whole synagogue stood about me. I had to sit down on the first bench next to Soskin. TILLE Next to the rich Soskin ? What are you protest- ing about, then? Haven't I brought honour upon you? Did you ever dream of sitting in the first row among the rich? CHONE I thank you for the honour, my clever daughter. Had you rather broken your neck before you pro- cured this honour for me ! What am I to do to- morrow, when people discover that I have found no treasure? TILLE Then you can take up your station at the door again. In the meantime you did sit in the first row next to a rich man. What did you lose by it? JACHNE-BRAINE That's what she always asks: What one is losing ! CHONE I could well have done without sitting in the first row. Do you understand? Why did you have to chatter? Why did you have to run off suddenly and trick yourself out and eat at the con- fectioner's and drive in a cab? What right had you to the money? Act II] THE TREASURE 51 TILLE We settled that question once before. CHONE How settled it? Who settled it? You will come out with the whole money yet! You'll carry all those things back and bring me the money. Do you tell them, Judke: the money is mine, isn't it? JUDKE Gave it to you ... to you . . . all . . . CHONE But I'll . . . JACHNE-BRAINE Chone, you forget that you have been fasting. Go, wash your hands and eat. Drink a glass of tea. [She pours the tea.'] Oi, oi! I can hardly move my limbs. This business is a fine addition to our fasting. CHONE I've had enough now! All this excitement has been enough for me. [^Sits down at the table and drinks tea.] And besides, after the evening prayer the sexton brought whiskey and cakes. We drank — the Rabbi and Soskin and the president of the congregation . . . TILLE Do you see? Do you see? You owe me that, too! S2 THE TREASURE [Act II CHONE [With contempt.] I won't fail to repay yoUj either. You'll feel my gratitude in your bones. Yes, if it were true, if I really had the treasure in my pocket, what would I have cared .^ But how will I face the world to-morrow? Why did you have to blab? It grew dark before my eyes when I heard them talking of the treasure. First I thought — they know that we haven't found it yet . . . TILLE And you thought, of course, the whole town will rush to the graveyard to look for it? CHONE How? My arms and legs were petrified with fright. But when I heard them speak of the treas- ure as already found, I wanted to deny it, to swear there was nothing. But they told me it was too late for any pretence, that my little daughter . . . ! Oh, that I may be delivered from her soon! TILLE Amen I CHONE Be silent, or . . . TILLE I mean that you ought to marry me off soon. Why do you grow so angry? CHONE Marry you ? Yes, to death ! They told me that my little daughter had spent a great sum for clothes and jewels in the best shops. I opened my Act II] THE TREASURE 53 mouth and my ears. I didn't know anything about it. I told them the truth. All I know about is a few Imperials, and I was ashamed to say that I didn't even know how many, because my dear daughter had pocketed everything. May the Evil One pocket you! JACHNE-BRAINB {^Bitterly.] Amen. CHONE And so I said, I know there were ten to fifteen Imperials, perhaps even fewer. But they laughed me to scorn! You don't know how to lie, Reb Chone, they said. Reb Chone, that's what they said, not simply Chone. TILLE [Laughs.'\ Hurra ! CHONE [Throwing her an angry glance."] There's no use lying, they said to me. Your daughter spent twice that amount to-day. I didn't know, of course, what to answer to that. I stammered and stuttered, and they all wished me happiness and squeezed my hand and I stood there and didn't know whether I was dreaming or had gone crazy. And then came the Rabbi and said he had some- thing to consult me about. TILLE [Breaks out in loud ЫидЫст."] Surely he wants you to take his part against the other Rabbi who has been sent for. 54 THE TREASURE [Act II CHONE And then came Soskin and wanted to consult me too. JACHNE-BRAINE Soskin ? — Ah, the morsels stick in my throat ! TILLE I suppose he wants you to be his partner ! Ha, ha, ha! CHONE I wish I knew as well what to think of you as I know what to say to them! [Cries out.] I'd like to tear you to pieces! What have you brought upon me! [tille laughs."] JACHNE-BRAINE And she laughs ! TILLE Isn't it laughable? We are in a certain sense ... CHONE [In rage."] Oh! [He takes a step in her di- rection, but restrains himself.li Tell me at once how much money you had! TILLE More, at all events, than I have now. CHONE Speak clearly. Act II] THE TREASURE 55 JACHNE-BRAINB Why won't you tell us? TILLE Because the money is mine and I owe an account- ing to no one. Furthermore, it's more interesting for you not to know. JACHNE-BRAINB What do you say to that? CHONE Wait! I'll make you speak fast enough! [Picks up the stick.] Will you speak? JUDKE [Bleating malevolently.'] Hay — hay — hay! JACHNE-BRAINB Let us at least finish eating. TILLE [Calmly.] You had better lose no time in use- less discussion! Eat and then let us go and seek the treasure. CHONE At once you are to tell me! Very well, I'll render you justice. If nothing comes of the treasure, I'll tell you exactly how much money I've had , . . and render a strict ac- counting. 56 THE TREASURE [Acr II CHONB {^Beats the floor with his stick.'] I want to know it now ! You are to tell me at once ! I must know what I ought to say to people to-morrow. . . . TILLE Are you really going to tell them the truth? CHONE What I'm going to say to them doesn't concern you. How much money did you have? TILLE What you see on me represents all I had. CHONE How many Imperials were there? Fifteen? TILLS Fifteen. Twenty ? Twenty. CHONE [Rushes upon her,"] Кт& you mocking me, eh? JACHNE-BRAINE [Holding him Ьйск.] You see she won't tell. JUDKE Don't tell. CHONB TILLB Act П] THE TREASURE 47 CHONB She'll tell soon enough! JACHNE-BRAINi Wait rather a day or two till we know how it is with the treasure. You had better sit down and eat. Oh, God above! God above! TILLE That's just the advice I give you. JACHNE-BRAINE Stop talking! TILLE We must eat in a hurry and go out. The night is clear. And I'm hungry too. At the confection- er's I just nibbled dainties. [She sits down at the table.] CHONE [Calmer but with a glance full of hatred and contempt.'] On a fast day at the confectioner's. I'm a fool to lay aside the stick. [Exit into the outer hall.] TILLE [With a disdainful air.] Oh, after the nice things at the confectioner's the horse-radish sick- ens me. JACHNE-BRAINE Behold her! She has become a gourmet sud- denly — the millionaire ! [cHONE enters with moist hands, dries them, pro- nounces the blessing, sits down at the table and eats.] 58 THE TREASURE [Act II TILLE Oh, how good the ice cream tasted. JACHNE-BRAINE Be silent! Don't provoke him! CHONE And the stuff didn't choke you ? TILLE As you see. \They eat. There is silence.'} CHONE She simply went away and made her purchases. What all did she buy? TILLE Ah, that's a different way of talking. JACHNE-BRAINE She bought quite enough. TILLE [^Jumps up, smooths her dress, holds her arms akimbo and swings around in front of chone.] Look! Stylish, isn't it? [Shows him the rings.} And this — [shows him the earrings by shaking her head] — And these! [Shows the watch and chain.'] And this! You see? [Puts on the hat.] And this ! From the Parisian model shop. [Opens the sunshade.] And this. [She stands up before him, one hand at her hip, the other holding the sunshade.] Well, how does your first born Act II] THE TREASURE 59 please you now? [5/ie spreads out the cZoaAr.] And then this. . . . \^She throws it across her shoulder and assumes the air and gait of a lady of fashion.'} \^Angrily.} Did you ever see such pretentious behaviour ? TILLE Just let us find the treasure of many, many thou- sands, and you'll see all that I can make of myself. And now look at what I bought for you others. Cloth for suits for yourself and Judke and for a dress for mother. And look at the quality. [Throws a sidelong, angry glance at the cloth and turns away again.} And the diamonds are really genuine TILLE What's that? Am I likely to buy paste? Your only daughter doesn't wear paste diamonds. JACHNE-BRAINE Don't make such a fuss. Sit down and let us end this merry meal. [Having finished his meal. Thoughtfully.'] Well, we have a fine daughter — finer than you can say. She does as she pleases. Her parents have to get on as best they can in spite of her. 60 THE TREASURE [Act II JACHNE-BRAINE Beginning again? You've been still too long, I suppose? TILLE Wby should you care, father? Let us first find the treasure; then everything will be well. Then I'll call you " Papa "... CHONE And he hasn't remembered yet? JACHNE-BRAINE You expect him to? Do you? You can wait a long time! CHONE l^Groans-l Ah, ah, ah! [To judke.] Were there many more golden coins there? JUDKE [Who has been staring hungrily at the table •while the others have been eating.] Won't tell! Won't talk to you! CHONE [Angrily.] I'll get you to talk. . . . [Groans.] Ah, ah, ah! [Then he begins to murmur the prayer after meals.] JACHNE-BRAINE Crazy Judke. TILLE But you'll tell me, won't you, Judke? Be good. Do you want some more radish ? What else do you want to eat? Act IIJ THE TREASURE 61 JUDKE Want nothing. TILLE Were there more golden coins there? JUDKE Don't remember nothing. TILLE Oh, what a pity. Schutschke was such a good doggy, and not even to know where he's buried ! JUDKE [Beats his head with his fists.^ Why don't I remember? Why don't I remember? TILLE Well, well, don't act crazy. You'll have a good sleep and then you'll remember. [jUDKE sits still for a while longer. Then he gets up, takes the new cloth, goes to the bench and stretches himself out on it. For a little while he giggles and caresses the cloth. Then he falls asleep.] [cHONE ends his prayer. A knocking is heard at the outer door.] JACHNE-BRAINE Some one is coming. THE MARRIAGE BROKER [Enters.] Good evening. May your fast agree with you ! 62 THE TREASURE [Act II CHONK and JACHNE-BRAINE [^Surprised.] Good evening! TILLE Good evening! What a guest! JACHNE-BRAINE To think of a marriage broker finding his way to us too. And what a grand one. THE MARRIAGE BROKER Well, you know, a man puts ofF finding his way to the graveyard as long as possible. Ha, ha, ha ! JACHNE-BRAINE And so the grave-digger's daughter must be an old maid. TILLE Your daughter isn't so old yet. THE MARRIAGE BROKER That's my opinion exactly. All, what a hot day it was and what a difficult fast! But that's our Jewish fate. On the longest and hottest days we must fast. CHONE We fast enough in winter too. THE MARRIAGE BROKER I simply think that the summer fast days are superfluous. And yet again — when does a Jew not suffer hunger.'' He suffers it continually. Act II] THE TREASURE 63 thank God, in summer and winter, on long days and on short ones. CHONE A Jew suffers no hunger — except when he has something to eat. Ha, ha, ha ! JACHNE-BRAINE [Sighs.] Yes, yes! [She begins to clear the table. She carries the plates into the kitchen, places the bread in the cupboard, takes the table- cloth, shakes it out in a corner and replaces it on the table.] THE MARRIAGE BROKER Did you have a busy day to-day? CHONE We don't know what it is to lack work on any day. THE MARRIAGE BROKER That is to say, people die off and on. CHONE And not too sparingly. To-day we had four buryings, and in the course of the week there were . . . THE MARRIAGE BROKER Yes, yes, people die. But God sends the balm before the wound is felt. Because people must die God has supplied the world with marriage brokers — hi, hi, hi ! — who see to it that young people are united so that they can bt-get children — and so the лу1ю1е business keeps turning. 64 THE TREASURE [Act H TILLB Then a marriage broker is a finer thing than a grave-digger. THE MARRIAGE BROKER And the best thing of all is to get married one- self, eh? TILLS That depends. THE MARRIAGE BROKER [Takes a cigarette and then hands the case to CHONE.] Help yourself, Reb Chone! Well, the things one hears of you ! [Laughs. The two men smoke.^ CHONE I see already that you've heard something. THE MARRIAGE BROKER Naturally ! The whole town rings with it. Hi, hi, hi! [JACHNE-BRAINE sighs.'\ THE MARRIAGE BROKER So that's your daughter. And you have only one daughter.-^ JACHNE-BRAINE You might have learned that long ago. THE MARRIAGE BROKER You must understand me and not take it in ill part. But a marriage broker is not a grave-dig- Act II] THE TREASURE 65 ger. He profits by the living and not by the dead. And poor people are like dead people, hi, hi, hi ! TILLE So poor girls don't get married at all? THE MARRIAGE BROKER Understand me rightly! I'm a marriage broker who — you mustn't misunderstand me now or feel hurt — who has brought about some magnificent matches and that in the wealthiest families. I represent young men who are worth five thousand rubles and ten and twenty and even more. I have doctors and lawyers and engineers, and also simply fine young men, highly educated, the sons of rich people, who possess nice fortunes of their own. Now I'm looking for a wife for a chemist . . . JACHNE-BRAINK For a — what .'' THE MARRIAGE BROKER For a chemist, a thoroughly smart and learned man who makes different colours. You must have heard of Shalom Balashkin's son ! A head he has on him — you won't find his equal ! And he's an inventor — simply unique ! Now he's thought out some kind of thing, a kind of colour, for which people are offering him hundreds of thousands. But he doesn't want to sell. He'd like to build a factory to make the colour himself, and in two or three years he'll be a millionaire. That's the kind of a colour it is. To do this he needs, you under- stand me, about twenty-five thousand rubles. And, since he has no money of his олуп he's looking for 66 THE TREASURE [Act II a wife with that much dowry. I'm a kind of banker, you see, who procures great sums of money for young men like that, without interest and with a wife in the bargain. TILLB Is he handsome? THE MARRIAGE BROKER Who.'* The chemist? Handsome? And sup- pose he isn't handsome? Is that so important in a man? The main thing about a man is that he can earn a great deal of money. TILLE If I'm to give a dowry of twenty-five thousand, I won't have any one who isn't handsome. THE MARRIAGE BROKER All girls make the same mistake. A handsome man is nothing special. A handsome man is far too vain and, the way the world goes nowadays, you have to watch him wherever he goes. Ha, ha, ha ! The main thing is here ! [He taps his fore- head.'] TILLE No, the main thing for me is looks. You can let me see to it that he has to watch me and not I him. THE MARRIAGE BROKER Look at her ! She has grown up here . . . TILLE If I have a dowry of twenty-five thousand, he needn't exert his head so much. Act II] THE TREASURE 67 THE MARRIAGE BROKER Oh, but there's a great difference! Take my chemist, for instance. In two or three years he'll be a millionaire! Another man might do away with the money in two or three years and you'll hardly know where it's gone to! TILLE I'd rather live in poverty — if the man is hand- some. THE MARRIAGE BROKER Well, then I must tell you, though you mustn't take it amiss, that you talk quite like a child. . TILLE But what shall I do if he's ugly and loses the money too.'' What then.'' Then I'd have nothing to eat and nothing to look at! THE MARRIAGE BROKER Loses the money? A chemical matter for which they're offering him hundreds of thousands ! TILLE Have you only that one on your list? THE MARRIAGE BROKER What? Only one? Л1ау we find as many treasures as I have young men on my list. And what handsome ones! I'm only talking about the chemist, because — 68 THE TREASURE [Act II I'd rather have you speak of the handsome ones. A vigorous one with fiery black eyes . . . THE MARRIAGE BROKER So surely as we all hope to keep well ... I have one like that too. He's an engineer. But let us speak openly. [To chone.] How much dowry are you going to give? CHONE I — dowry .'' JACHNE-BRAINB We — dowry? TILLE [Calmly.'] It depends on the young man. THE MARRIAGE BROKER Five, ten, twenty, fifty thousand? They're say- ing the treasure is perhaps a million ! JACHNE-BRAINE Fy ! May all evil overtake my enemies. CHONE Truly, I feel sick when people begin to talk of it. THE MARRIAGE BROKER Well, what other people have, you know, always looks like more than it is. People say a million. I suppose it's less. But how much less can it be? We know what is meant by a treasure. A treasure is not just a small affair. I really think you Act II] THE TREASURE 69 might be frank with me. God forbid that I should be trying to pump you. However much money you have, may it be a source of nothing but good to you. On this day you were destined to find a treasure, and you found it; another time good fortune may come to me and I'll find one. Far from envying you, I'm very glad that you found it and not another man, possibly a childless one. Through you I can at least earn something. A daughter you have. And a son, too, it seems, though people say he's a cripple. Is he that on the bench yon- der .'' Well, we'll manage to provide for him too — it'll be a little harder, perhaps. The main thing I want to know is — " the price! " " What does it cost? " You understand me? In short, tell me how much you will give, whether it's a thousand rubles more or less — and then we'll be ready. JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, dearie me ! Dearie me ! CHONE Tell me : do you know what you're talking about ? THE MARRIAGE BROKER I understand you, I understand you! Don't be vexed at me. In your position I would act just as you do. Do you think that I would rush into the city and cry out: I have found so and so much? Huh ! I wouldn't think of it. What would be the consequence? In a minute I'd have the whole town about my ears, everybody wanting something and tugging at my pocket. . . • When you have money you have relatives and friends. I would be silent too, so sure as I'm alive. And if I were to say 70 THE TREASURE [Act II anything, I'd give ten or twenty times less than it is. But as between us, we're after a very different matter. Keep your money all you want to, but I must know how much dowry you're going to give your daughter. TILLE I've already told you: it depends on the young man. Only he must be a handsome one. CHONE Am I crazy or are you crazy? JACHNE-BRAINB Oh, dearie me ! Dearie me ! THE MARRIAGE BROKER I see it is with your daughter that one must speak. CHONE May I know as little of all evil as I know of what is going on here. THE MARRIAGE BROKER It seems to me that everything must have its limits. You'll have to marry off your daughter; you're not going to shut her up in a cloister ! And, furthermore, it seems to me that she's not at all such a child that she'll permit herself to be shut up. And the sooner you marry her off, the better. CHONE But . . . Act II] THE TREASURE Tl JACHNE-BRAINB Oh, my dear God ! THE MARRIAGE BROKER And if you think that another marriage broker would propose more favourable matches, you are greatly mistaken. I believe you know what matches I have brought about, and you need not be ashamed to have me suggest an eligible match for your daughter. CHONE God in heaven ! What a torment ! JACHNE-BRAINE Truly as I live! THE MARRIAGE BROKER Who is a torment ? I ? No one has ever told me that before, and I have entrance to the best Jewish houses. It's clear that one is dealing here with beggars who have just grown rich. And do you know what I tell you? I don't believe in the treasure at all any more. A fine treasure it's likely to be — an Imperial and a half, perhaps. CHONE Don't believe in the treasure, I tell you ! Don't believe in it! [tille, during the last words of the marriage bro- ker, has arisen, smoothed her frock, stretched out her hand with the rings on it and turned her head so as to make the jewels in her ears glitter.] 72 THE TREASURE [Act II THE MARRIAGE BROKER A torment! As though I had come to beg for alms. TILLE Don't be annoyed and rather discuss the matter with ше. All you need do is to provide a hand- some bridegroom. THE MARRIAGE BROKER But the sum ! I must know the amount ! Is it five, ten, twenty, fifty, a hundred thousand.'* TILLE [Composedly. 1 Five, ten, fifty, a hundred thousand — CHONE Wha — what.? [jACHNE-BRAiNE opcns her moutk and sits still as though petrified.^ THE MARRIAGE BROKER Well, that's clear information. But how will it be if your father won't give that much ? TILLE Depend on me. He'll get better inclined. THE MARRIAGE BROKER I see that one may depend on you. You are the one who directs things here, eh? Now, how is it? May I wire? Act II] THE TREASURE 73 TILLE Yes, you may wire. But I want none but a handsome one, do you hear? THE MARRIAGE BROKER Depend on me. He'll be handsome as a picture. Unparalleled. You won't grow tired of looking at him. It's this very engineer. But the affair can't be managed on less than thirty thousand. Even if it takes fifty thousand — he must be handsome ! CHONB [Grasps his head.] Woe is me! Woe! THE MARRIAGE BROKER Tall and vigorous! Like a guardsman! With black, fiery eyes. TILLE [With faltering breath.} You may telegraph. Does he live far from here.'' THE MARRIAGE BROKER If I wire him now, he'll be here to-morrow night at eleven. TILLE Then go and wire ! THE MARRIAGE BROKER I just wanted to tell you of his descent. He comes of a good family. But I am going to wire now. Give me the money for a telegram. 74 THE TREASURE [Act II TILLE Certainly. [Rapidly she goes into another room.] THE MARRIAGE BROKER She has good sense^ really ! She won't have to guard her husband. [cHONE and JACHNE-BRAINE sit With орвп moutk as though bereft of their senses.] TILLE [Comes bach and gives the marriage broker a bank-note.] There's money for the telegram. The telegram won't cost so much as that. The rest is for your trouble. THE MARRIAGE BROKER She knows her business, on my word of honour! She'll be a treasure to her husband without any- thing. I'll hurry on now. Good night to all. May I come back later and discuss the matter fully.? TILLE It isn't necessary. One must rest after the fast day. The main thing is that he please me. THE MARRIAGE BROKER She's a clever one, so sure as I live ! You'll see how handsome he is ! You'll be satisfied. Good night. \He goes. There is a brief pause.] TILLE [Breaking out into laughter, clasps her hands and dances.] Millionaire! A millionaire! It's working! The trick is working! Act II] THE TREASURE 75 CHONE If I didn't have a stroke it's because I'm stronger than iron. JACHNE-BRAINR Oh, it's enough to make one crazy! What kind of jokes are these! CHONE It's enough now! Now I want to know how much money you have! [To jachne-braine.] Who knows ? Maybe she really has a million ! Did you hear how quietly she said: five, ten, fifty, a hundred thousand rubles! [To tille.] Now you'll tell me at once how much money you have, do you hear? Now you won't escape me. [To JACHNE-BRAINE.] Why did slie go out before.'* Where does she keep the money ? JACHNE-BRAINE How do I know.'' Somewhere about her? TILLE I'm a millionaire! I'm a millionaire! Oh, you don't understand a joke! CHONE I'll strip you naked ! I'll tear every shred off your back ! . . . This minute you'll turn the money over to me. TILLE What money? Which money? — I've told you that I haven't any money at all. 76 THE TREASURE [Act II CHONS What do you mean? You have no money? And you expect me to believe that? Where did you get the five rubles which you just gave him? And all your talk, to him — was that a j оке ? And if it is a joke, what of it? The main thing is, you understand . . . CHONE Don't try to confuse me! Put the money down here. I don't even want to take it away from you ! I just want to look at it! I just want to see how money looks. All my life long I have seen no money; I want to give just a glance . . . JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, I didn't really know my own daughter! [ГЛе outer door is heard to open.'] \_Peevishli/.'\ Keep stiU! A visitor is coming to the owner of the treasure ! CHONE [^Whispering between his teeth."] Just wait! You'll give me the money yet! SOSKIN [Very near-sighted, well dressed, enters. He has an expression of self-importance.] Good even- ing. Act И] THE TREASURE 77' CHONE [Jumps up, surprised and embarrassed.'] Now look at that . . . Mr. Soskin ! Good evening. [jACHNE-BRAiNE clusps her hands with consterna- tion behind soskin's back, frightened and astonished.] [tille bites her lips in order to conceal her laugh- ter.] SOSKIN A difEcult fast, wasn't it? [Takes a chair and makes himself quite comfortable.] CHONE Yes, a fast day as always. [Sits down slowly.^ [tille takes up a book and sits down.] [jACHNE-BRAiNE doesn't dare to sit down.] SOSKIN Were there many funerals to-day? CHONE There's no lack of them on any day, thank God ! SOSKIN To-day you have dug up something too! Ha, ha, ha ! [cHONE looks at him in stupefaction.] [tille raises her eyes from her book but immedi- ately lowers them again and smiles.] 78 THE TREASURE [Act II [jACHNE-BRAINE looks first at CHONE, then at TILLE significantly, shakes her head angrily and sighs. ^ SOSKIN Where did you dig it up, on the old field or the new ? CHONE [Smiles in his extreme embarrassment.} Hm, hm . . . SOSKIN I asked you the same question in the synagogue and if I'm not mistaken you said, in the new . . . CHONE [As before.] Yes? How could I have said that? SOSKIN I don't know, but that is what you did say. CHONE May I know as little of any evil as I know of having said that. SOSKIN Anyhow I don't understand why you should be so afraid or why you seem to regret having said what you did. CHONE Regret? How can I regret saying what I couldn't have said? Act II] THE TREASURE 79 SOSKIN Why couldn't you hare said it? If you found it in the new field — well and good, then you found it there. JACHNE-BRAINE [Sighs.'] Oh, Father above. Father above! SOSKIN How many burials did you have to-day? CHONE [Cautiously.] Four. SOSKIN And where? CHONE On the . . . SOSKIN [As though he had not heard.] Where? CHONE [Utterly at loss to jachne-braine and tille.] Where? Where did I? JACHNE-BRAINE There you are! He asks me where he buried people to-day. TILLE On the old field, it seems to me. SOSKIN [Laughs.] On the old field! It seems! Why do you ask her anyhow? You did the burying! 80 THE TREASURE [Act II You're the one who knows ! But the matter can be ascertained. Isn't that so, Reb Chone? All we have to do is to look into the records to see who was buried to-day and then we would know at once where, but — TIL LB Why do you have to know that at all? SOSKIN [^Disregards the question.'] But even a blind man can see that you dug graves in the new field to- day, otherwise you would have told me at once and not first consulted with your wife and daughter. TILLE Yes, but how does it concern you so nearly? How it concerns me? Oh, not at all. All that I'm surprised at is your desire to conceal the truth. If you found the treasure in the new field, why don't you say simply : I found it in the new field. TILLE But it does seem to matter a good deal to you. Otherwise you wouldn't have taken the trouble to come here so late on a fast day just to ask where Chone the grave-digger found his treasure. Isn't that quite indifferent to you ? SOSKIN In respectable houses the children don't interfere when one is speaking with their parents. Act II] THE TREASURE 81 TILLE [Affronted, mutters.] If our family isn't re- spectable^ you needn't marry into it — that's all. CHONE Hold your tongue ! JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, she ought to be burned! SOSKIN [To cHONE.] Can't лус go into another room and discuss the matter thoroughly? TILLE [Lays her book aside.] You don't have to talk to father at all. I myself found the treasure, not he. SOSKIN You must first make me believe that ! TILLE You needn't believe it if you don't want to. SOSKIN [To CHONE.] In spite of that I'd like to talk to you alone. CHONE Well, then, if you want to know the entire truth, I swear that I found nothing at all. SOSKIN Who did then ? 82 THE TREASURE [Act II TILLE Haven't you been told? SOSKIN What business has she to be digging around on the graveyard? CHONB Ask her what business of hers it is ! How do I know? . . . There she sits! Let her tell you! SOSKIN All of which means that you've agreed with each other not to tell where you found it. CHONE Why did we have to agree? JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, God! Oh, God! SOSKIN Why you had to do it I don't know. I wasn't listening behind your door. TILLE But you've agreed with yourself that we made our find on the new field, and you want to insist on persuading us that it was there. So you must have some interest in the matter. eosKiN I know simply this: In the synagogue you said clearly and unmistakably that you found the treas- ure in your own person and on the new field. Act II] THE TREASURE вЗ CHONE H-m! How is that? How can it be? How could I have said that when I didn't find anything and don't even know where anything was found. SOSKIN It simply means you deny everything that you said. But how will it be if others heard you, and if I can bring forward witnesses? TILLE Witnesses? [Regards him keenly and thought- fully.] CHONE You hear . . . ? JACHNE-BRAINE Woe is me! What kind of witnesses? SOSKIN I'll tell you what to do ! Come and show me the hole in which the treasure was found. TILLE [Reflectively.'] The hole has been filled in long ago. SOSKIN Why did you fill it in ? TILLE That a blind horse mayn't fall in. 84 THE TREASURE [Act II SOSKIN [Jumps up.] Well, then^ let me tell you that you'll have a lawsuit on your hands. CHONE A lawsuit ! JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, I perish! TILLE What kind of a lawsuit? SOSKIN [Going to the door.] You'll learn that in good time. TILLE Aha, I see through it all. The congregation bought the new field of him. I understand now why he wants to insist that we found the treasure in the new field. [Laughs.] Don't you understand.'' He wants a share. SOSKIN If not the whole of it. Well, if you've come to have so much sense . . . It occurred to me just this moment. It didn't at first at all. A share is what he wants. SOSKIN You found the treasure in the new field. Now, I sold the field to the congregation, but not what was buried in it. Act II] THE TREASURE 85 TILLE But you didn't bury the treasure yourself ! You knew nothing of it, did you? SOSKIN You are a regular lawj^er, it seems. But I am as well informed in these matters of law as you are. You will have to turn over every kopek to me, other%vise . . . TILLE Otherwise .'* SOSKIN You'll all be taken to prison. CHONE Woe is me ! Woe is me ! What a visitation has come upon us.'' JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, I can't bear any more. TILLE Is that so.'' To prison, did you say? I should like to see that ! SOSKIN Yes, you'll come to believe it in good time. JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, God above ! What a misfortune ! What kind of a treasure have we? Where is any treas- ure? For the love of God! 86 THE TREASURE [Act II SOSKIN What? Now you want to deny the whole busi- ness entirely? You want to act as though you hadn't found a treasure of several hundred thou- sands, if not more? CHONE Of several hundred thousands? [He gazes wildly at TiLLE.] TILLE Well, then, go ahead and start your lawsuit. We are as rich as you and quite as well able to hire a lawyer as yourself; and we will prove up to the hilt that we didn't find the treasure in the new field. And now go ahead ! We'll wait and see to whose advantage it all turns out! SOSKIN But I have witnesses who will bear out my asser- tion that your father said he had found the treasure in the new field. CHONE It isn't possible at all ! I couldn't have said any such thing. If I am to tell you the truth, it's that I didn't find . . . that I . . . TILLE It's all right. Let him be. Let him produce his witnesses in court. And if you did say it? What of it? You simply lied; you didn't want to tell them the truth. CHONE But I didn't say it. I couldn't have said it! Act II] THE TREASURE 87 JACHNE-BRAINE How is it that he couldn't say it? SOSKIN Well, you'll see where your daughter will land you in the end. Good night. [He goes toward the door.] CHONE For the love of God ! Did any one ever hear of such things ! JACHNE-BRAINE [Bursting into tears.] Oh, what a misfortune! What a misfortune ! SOSKIN [Remains standing at the door, turns around.] Why don't we bargain decently with one another, like Jews, without suits and courts. I know of a surety that you found the treasure in the new field. TILLE It isn't true. SOSKIN If you should undertake to prove that it isn't true, you would bring great misery upon your- selves. Perjury is a penitentiary crime. TILLE It's laughable. Your witnesses are the ones that will perjure themselves. SOSKIN Wouldn't it be best to adjust the matter among ourselves and in kindness.'' 88 THE TREASURE [Act II TILLS Aha? What did I say? He wants a share! SOSKIN And isn't it my good right? The treasure was found on my land. TILLK Useless talk ! You can go on talking till to-mor- row. The treasure wasn't found on the new field for all that. JACHNE-BRAINE [Гтг tears.l What treasure? What kind of a treasure? A treasure? Oh! CHONE It's enough to drive you crazy. SOSKIN So you don't want to agree on a compromise ? TILLE Not for a kopek! SOSKIN Now I ask you, Reb Chone, you're an old man — would you rather become involved in lawsuits than compromise ? CHONE But I don't know of anything at all. I have found no . . . SOSKIN I advise you: it would be better to compromise! Act II] THE TREASURE 89 TILLB Ha— ha— ha! But I didn't CHONB SOSKIN Very well, then. We'll meet at a different place from this. Consider it well. That's all. Good night. [He walks out.] [tille laughing more heartily.'] CHONE Ha ! I'll beat you to death ! Did I not say that she would plunge us into misfortune.'' She'll ruin us entirely! JACHNE-BRAINE She'll succeed in bringing us all into gaol ! CHONE And yet she laughs ! Blood shoidd you be laughing ! Look what she has brought about ! Be- cause she suddenly had the whim to go and trick herself out! JACHNE-BRAINE And considers no one! Does as she pleases! CHONE What do you say to such a misfortune ! A treas- ure ! They cry a treasure ! And I know nothing about anj'thing. . . . Except for the five Imperi- als, I haven't seen anything! I don't know where and I don't know what! 90 THE TREASURE [Act II TILLE Well, then, laugh with me! In that case, what frightens you so? CHONE God above ! May death himself frighten you soon! Am I not to be frightened? That man will have me gaoled! TILLE What for? Did you find the treasure? Or do you even know where Judke found the Imperials? CHONE As little as I know evil of you! And perhaps it was really a treasure? How do I know how much money you have there ! You see how excited the whole city is. " Hundred of thousands, if not more." How do I know? Maybe you showed that much money! TILLE [Bursts out in laughter.'] Oh, what a joke! [The outer door is heard opening again,] JACHNE-BRAINE [Weakened by emotion.] Keep still! Some- body else is coming! THE PRESIDENT OF THE CONGREGATION [Enters.] Good evening! CHONE [In a depressed voice.] Good evening! Act П] the TREASURE Э!' JACHNE-BRAINE [Sighs.] Another one! [tille laughs with her face turned away."] THE PRESIDENT I am coming to you, Reb Chone, straight from the council. The council has just convened in ex- traordinary session. You will easily guess what the matter iinder discussion is. CHONE [So weary that he can scarcely speak. '\ I can guess, I can guess . . . THE PRESIDENT It concerns the treasure. JACHNE-BRAINE Ah! CHONE Woe is me! THE PRESIDENT Why do you sigh, Reb Chone? God has shown you His especial favour. And since you under- stand that the congregation desires a share from you . . . CHONE A share of wliat? A share from whom? THE PRESIDENT Let me explain to you. You have found a treas- ure to-day of many, many thousands, of hundreds of thousands . . . 93 THE TREASURE [Act II [jACHNE-BRAiNE Scratches her head in despair.'\ [cHONE stares wildly at tille.] THE PRESIDENT When a man has been so suddenly favoured by God, it is but seemly that he should think of the congregation too! And the more he gives away of what God has given him, the more blessed will he be. But your case is different even from all this. CHONE Oh, woe is me ! THE PRESIDENT Don't sigh, Reb Chone ! The congregation is no robber. The congregation demands only what is just. You realise yourself that the treasure was found here on the land of the congregation and that you yourself are a servant of the congregation. On the basis of these facts the congregation might even demand that you turn over the whole sum to it. But as I have said before, the congregation doesn't want to rob you, and so the council has de- cided that you divide with the congregation, share and share alike. Isn't that just? CHONE [^Scarcely able to moan out the words."] I don't know any longer what to say ! TILLE Father had a very hard fast to-day and in addi- tion they treated him to whiskey in the syna- gogue . . . Act II]' THE TREASURE 93 THE PRESIDENT Well, shall we put oJ0F our conference until to- morrow ? CHONE Oh, I don't know anything! I don't know any- thing ! JACHNE-BRAINE It's enough to drive one crazy! THE PRESIDENT Very well, we'll put it off until to-morrow, though I should prefer to straighten out the matter at once and not delay it. TILLE YouVe held your council. Now we want a chance to think it over too. THE PRESIDENT What is there to think over.^ Surely you'll not set yourself against the congregation.'' TILLE Nevertheless we must think it over. Father can hardly speak any longer. THE PRESIDENT Very well. Then we'll let it go until to-mor- row. But I might as well tell you, Reb Chone, that the congregation will insist on its demand and not bargain over it at all. In addition I must give you this warning: You mustn't secrete any part of the money and then state a smaller sum than you 94 THE TREASURE [Act II have found. That would be simply committing a theft against the congregation and the members of the council wouldn't endure it. TILLE We are as honest as other people are. THE PRESIDENT So much the better ! [He rises.l Well, good night. And you'll have to be good enough to come over to us to the council to-morrow morning. We'll expect you immediately after prayers. Good night. CHONE [Utterly cast dcmm.'] Oh, I'd like to speak out and — Good night ! JACHNE-BRAINE Good night, oh, oh, oh! [the PRESIDENT QOeS.'] CHONE [To TILLE.] What have you to say now ? What have you to say now.^ TILLE What is there to be said.? They have smelled money — JACHNE-BRAINE Money you say! I'm already smelling the mis- ery that will come upon us. CHONE See what you have brought about! What am I to tell the council.'' Act II] THE TREASURE 95 TILLE If you want to be very kind, give them half. CHONE Look, she laughs, she makes a mock of me ! The half of what am I to give them? Of the five Im- perials ? [tille laughs.^ CHONE Look — she's heartless ! JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, may she be laughing for the last time, God above ! CHONE Why, they'll do to me I don't know what! Do you think they'll believe me if I tell them the truth? She runs and buys diamonds and watches and God only knows what all or for how much money ! To the marriage broker she says: " Five, ten, fifty, a hundred thousand rubles of dowry ! " To Soskin she said: "We are as rich as you." And then I will go and lay the five Imperials on the table and say: " Here is the whole treasure and I am kind enough to share it with you ! " TILLE [Laughs. 1 Well, that would not be a lie. CHONE Oh, but this is too much! [Cries out in a vio- lent rage as though possessed.] I'll kill you! I'll beat you to death! What do you want of me? 96 THE TREASURE [Act II Why do you drive me mad? Eh? Oh, I'll — Where is my stick? Where? [He grasps his stick.'\ Out with the money, with all the money! This minute! [juDKE wakes up and looks in astonishment at his raging father.'] TILLB All the money! с HONE Yes, all of it — the hundreds of thousands, the whole million! I won't wait another minute, you won't escape me any longer! TILLE [Laughs."] Hundreds of thousands! There, Judke is awake ! Ask him how many Imperials he brought home. CHONE I don't want to know anything! Just give me the money that you have on your person ! TILLE I have it under my corset! CHONE Then unlace your stays and give it to me at once! TILLE If that's what you want, I have no objection. [She unbuttons her bodice.] Act II] THE TREASURE 97 JUDKB Tille, I've slept enough, but I don't remember. TILLE But I tell you, it is my money that I am giving you. [She draws forth a few crumpled bank- notes.] Here is the whole money, the hundreds of thousands, the million ! CHONB [Hurls himself upon the money, counts it with trembling hands and cries.] Thirty-five rubles! [He turns the bank-notes over as though he could not trust his eyes and were looking for more,] [jACHNE-BRAiNE helps Mm.] TILLE [Buttons her bodice.] You needn't look. It won't increase. CHONE I don't believe you ! You've taken the whole — TILLE Do you want me to strip to the skin ? CHONE But what kind of a comedy did you then play with the marriage broker, eh? TILLE Why should it annoy you if I amuse myself? I didn't call him; he came of his own accord. He 98 THE TREASURE [Act II thinks we have grown rich. Let him go ahead. Why should you take that to heart so? JACHNE-BRAINE A fine way of amusing yourself! To-morrow night at eleven the bridegroom will come — TILLE What have you to lose if he does? If we find the treasure — very well; if not, I'll say that the man doesn't suit me. Then I'm simply an old maid again and he can travel back home. CHONE And if Soskin sues me in the meantime? JACHNE-BRAINE о my God ! CHONE And how shall I manage with the congregation? How? IScratches his head.'] Oh — oh — oh! [Comes down from the bench.] I go look. [He goes out.] TILLE Judke has gone out. Hurry and follow him! CHONE What's the use of going ? What for ? Act IIJ THE TREASURE 99 TILLE Well, that is ... ! He gives up the whole thing so soon ! And if there is a treasure in spite of everything .'' CHONE Do you think I have the strength left to move.'' TILLE I'm sorry. Only it's a pity because the night is so clear and bright. I'll just stop to change my clothes. Then I'll go out myself. [She takes down a dress hanging against the wall and goes into the next room.^ CHONE [Го JACHNE-BRAINE.] Well, there you sit like a lady of leisure! JACHNE-BRAINE Much strength have I to move ! I can scarcely stand on my feet after such a fast day. CHONE And how about myself ? My head swims. Let's go together. I'm ready to fall over. JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, may my enemies feel like this ! Come on, then ! Come on ! Woe is me! Woe is me! [They drag them- selves to the door, chone remembers the money 100 THE TREASURE [Act U that is lying on the table, turns around, puts the money into his pocket and sighs. Both go out.^ TILLE [Enters, dressed in an old gown. She has the new gown over her arm. She looks about.l They went after all. Both of them, [She strokes the new gown, looks at it, brushes off a speck of dust, hums to herself, finds it hard to part from the dress, but finally hangs it up under the sheet against the wall. Finally she looks at her hat in admira- tion, then carries it together with the sunshade and gloves into the adjoining room. She returns at once and, still humming, looks at her earrings in the mirror. Then she cries in a kind of rapture.^ Ah, at least for one day I've been a millionaire! Ah! [She hurries out.'\ CURTAIN ACT III The same room. A dim, rainy morning glimmers through the ivindow. Feather beds are lying about on the sofa, chone, about to say his morning prayers, draws forth his praying shawl. JACHNE-BRAINE, JUDKE and TILLE, the latter in her accustomed morning undress but with all her jewels, sit at the table and drink tea. A samovar stands on the table. JACHNE-BRAINE groans heavily. CHONE [Interrupting his murmured prayers.] Well — there you are! I have to pray at home, I daren't go to the synagogue, I must hide. All on account of her madness. May she break her neck ! TILLE Do keep still ! On an empty stomach he pours out curses ! And he calls that saying his prayers ! CHONE May you be poured out of the world ! If it were not for you, I hadn't fallen upon this evil. One thing I ask you: I've hidden — very well; I haven't shown my face in public, I didn't go to the synagogue and I won't go to the council ! But what will I do if they summon me before the coun- cil? 101 102 THE TREASURE [Act III TILLE Why, you won't go — that's all. CHONE Not go? What do you mean — not go when the council summons? TILLE Don't be at home when they come to summon you. CHONE How shall I not be at home? Where in the world am I to be ? Can I hide myself in the earth ? TILLE You can sit in there [she points to the adjoin- ing room] or in the death chamber — and we will say that you have gone away. CHONE Very well, I can hide from the messenger of the council, but what am I to do if the council comes here ? What am I to do then ? What am I to say ? TILLE Do you know? I'll tell you a plan. You needn't hide ; you needn't try to avoid the messenger of the council ; you needn't do anything — simply pretend to be ill ! CHONE 111! [juDKE bursts out ЫидМид."] Act III] THE TREASURE 103 JACHNE-BRAINE [To TiLLE.] May you really fall ill! Oh, God above ! What do you mean by ill ? Нолу can I make my- self ill all of a sudden? [jUDKE laughs again.] TILLE Quite simply. You lie down on the bed here or on the sofa, you cover yourself, and if any one comes we'll say that you have fallen ill. It hap- pens, you know. We'll say you've caught a cold, or that the fasting didn't agree \vith you or simply — the excitement was too much. JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, it is truly enough to make one ill. TILLE And if any one comes and begins to talk to you, you must be silent and act as though you didn't understand, couldn't hear — as though you couldn't speak. Let them talk to the walls. And if an answer has to be made, then I'll make it. JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, may your tongue be paralysed! TILLE A great piece of good fortune will come to you, mother ! 104 THE TREASURE [Act III CHONE So it's in this way that she would make a fool of all the world ! But I must ask you : What will be the end of it all? Very well, granted I pretend illness, that I'm lying abed even now ! What's to be the end of it all? I can't pass my life in bed! I have to get up some time! TILLK We must gain time. In the meanwhile we'll look for the treasure. JACHNE-BRAINE She'll look for the treasure. In this rain. A sin to drive a dog into the streets in such weather. TILLE It doesn't matter. It won't hurt us. To dig graves in the rain, in snow and frost, all for a dry crust, you think that right, eh? But you two can stay here. No one asks you to go. Judke and I will go and look. Won't we, Judke, we two? We'll wrap up well, won't we ? And even if we do get wet, we won't care, will we? JUDKE You go ! Me too ! TILLE You realise how important it is ? All I want to know is — what will happen after- ward? What will come about then? Act III] THE TREASURE 105 TILLE When exactly? CHONK I mean when we have found nothing. TILLE Why should we find nothing? We will go and seek and Judke will surely remember. JUDKE I'll remember, I'll remember, hee — hee — hee! JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, yes, he's likely to remember — oh, so likely ! May his head be as crooked on his neck as his mind is! JUDKE I'll remember now — to spite you — CHONE And suppose you do find Schutschke's grave, who guarantees you that there's money there? TILLE Well, if the worst comes to the worst, where's the misfortune? Five Imperials you have! And the thirty-five rubles in addition ! Well, aren't you almost magnates? When in your lives before did you ever have so much money at once? CHONE But why did you have to hurry out and spend it all? 106 THE TREASURE [Act III TILLE You shouldn't have gone at me yesterday with your raging and roaring. If I've made something of a muddle, it can't be helped now. I didn't im- agine that others would present themselves imme- diately with claims. As things are, the important matter is to gain time and in the meanwhile to search — CHONE Oh, didn't I hear the door again? TILLE Lie down on the sofa — quick ! Hurry and lie down! [cHONE stretches himself on the sofa.l JACHNE-BRAINE [Wrings her hands.] Woe is me! Woe is me! TILLE [After a brief, tense interval of ivaiting goes to the door and looks out.] No one is there. It was only the wind. CHONE [Sits up.] A fine praying this will be! At every creaking of the door I'll have to lie down with my praying shawl and my phylacteries on me. TILLE I'll tell you what to do! Go into the death chamber and pray there. Act III] THE TREASURE 107 CHONE And if some one comes? TILLE Then we can say all the more truthfully that you are not here. CHONE Woe is me, what has she brought to pass ! What has she brought to pass ! JACHNE-BRAINE And I, can I bear it in this room, can I bear it? At least drink a glass of tea first. I'll bring you something to eat. Otherwise you'll have to eat lying down. [Hands chone a glass of tea.] [tille steps up to the bed, takes down her new gown and begins to put it on.] JACHNE-BRAINE [JVatches her.] Well, what's the meaning of this? Do you want to trick yourself out? Would you strew salt on our wounds ! TILLE I only want to try it on once more. Doesn't it fit as though it were moulded on me? This button will have to be moved a bit, don't you think so? There's a little too mucli fuhicss here. [Turns about and looks at herself from all sides.] AJi, if you want something good you must go into the big shops. They take a high price, but they give you your money's worth. 108 THE TREASURE [Act III JACHNE-BRAINE You'll see what you'll get for it when you're forced to sell it or pawn it. A lot you'll get — you wiseacre ! [cHONE groans.^ TILLE Let be ! You'll see in time. Don't borrow trou- ble needlessly. Judke will remember and we'll end by finding a great treasure and become rich — so rich that we'll be the wealthiest people in the city. We'll move into a great stone house in the principal street. What a life that will be! Ah! I with my tall handsome engineer . . . [Laughs.'\ CHONE [Enraged.l Oh! JACHNE-BRAINB She's, crazy — that's all. TILLE If you can imagine a thing in two ways, why imagine it the worse way ? I don't like to think of evil at all; I'd much rather think of what is pleas- ant. Oh, what things haven't I imagined . . . JUDKE [Laughs suddenly.'] Well be rich, hee — bee — hee! [A carriage is heard stopping at the door.'] CHONE [Jumps up.] Oh, woe is me! Some one has come! Act III] THE TREASURE 109 TILLE [Rushes to Лгш.] Lie down quickly ! Why do you stand there? [Pushes him.] Hurry! Hurry! [Takes his coat off and puts it down.] So, now lie down! [Pulls his boots off and covers him.] Close your eyes ! CHONE Oh, may you close your eyes forever! I'm to lie down quite simply, well and strong as I am, and be ill. JUDKE [Goes to the bench.] We'll grow rich — we'll grow rich ! Нее — hee — hee ! TWO MEN [Enter.] Good morning to you! THE FIRST MAN Good luck to all ! THE SECOND MAN Much luck! THE FIRST MAN But see, Reb Chone is lying down. Why does he lie? Good morning, Reb Chone! Why do you lie down? CHONE [Moans. Speaks with difficulty.] Good morn- ing. THE SECOND MAN Good morning, Reb Chone, and good luck ! 110 THE TREASURE [Act III JACHNE-BRAINE Luck? Why do you wish us luck? THE FIRST MAN The finest congratulation that one can think of is your due. Whom is one to congratulate if not you? Some poor devil perhaps on the birth of his tenth child? THE SECOND MAN May all Jews deserve such congratulations as you do ! If God were to favour me with a fine treasure I'd give a great feast! TILLE \^At the heud of the bed.'\ Do you see? And you take it into your head to fall ill. [jACHNE-BRAiNE groatis uTvd stares at the ceiling.'] [cHONE gives her an irritated glance.^ THE FIRST MAN [Sits down on a chair near chone.] Truly — your lying down ill hardly goes together with find- ing a treasure. It isn't right in you. THE SECOND MAN [Sits down too.] Surely it's the fasting and the excitement of yesterday. TILLE Naturally, what else? [cHONE groans.l Лет III] THE TREASURE 111 THE SECOND MAN That's the way it goes. If a poor devil does get hold of some money, he has to fall ill. THE FIRST MAN Nonsense — fall ill ! It'll pass ! What ails you, Reb Chone? CHONE Here — THE FIRST MAN A touch of cold? You ought to take quinine. THE SECOND MAN I would drink a great deal of tea with raspberry syrup, and then wrap up well and sweat thor- oughly. THE FIRST MAN I think it came simply from the excitement. THE SECOND MAN That's exactly what I said. It would be best to call the doctor. TILLE He must have rest; he must get thoroughly rested. THE FIRST MAN Surely, only rest — just that. One can see that you don't need to be helped out with advice. Do you know why I have come, Reb Chone ? You know that we represent the Society for Providing Poor Maidens with a Dowry. 112 THE TREASURE [Act III CHONE {^Nods and groans.] Yes, yes . . . THE FIRST MAN Then I needn't enter into any further explana- tions. I will only say that so soon as it became known in the city how God has blessed you . . . [jACHNE-BRAiNE QTOans from the bottom of her heart.} THE FIRST MAN [To JACHNE-BRAINE.] Blcssed undoubtedly! You're worrying because he isn't quite well? That will pass. That can happen to any man, whether he has found a treasure or not. [To chone.] As I was saying: So soon as the facts became known, we said to ourselves at once that our Society was the first that has the right to a share of this gift of God. And why.'' Firstly because ProWding Poor Maidens with a Dowry is the first and xnost distinguished duty for us Jews — for it conduces to the fulfilment of the most important of the six hundred and thirteen commandments, namely, the commandment: "Be fruitful and multiply!" Нее — hee — hee ! And in the second place our Society has always had its eye on you. For that reason alone it is but right that it should receive your first gift. And if you ask me what I mean by saying that our Society always had its eye on you — I'll tell you and you mustn't feel of- fended . . . [JACHNE-BRAINE groanS.} Act III] THE TREASURE 113 THE SECOND MAN Poverty is no disgrace, hee — hee — hee ! Peo- ple of very fine descent, of the very highest descent, have turned to us for help. TILLE Aha — they're aiming at me ! THE FIRST MAN And so we thought that our grave-digger has a daughter (may she be a blessing to him!) who must be married off, and he is unfortunately a very poor man (not of to-day be it spoken!) and so we determined that if God sends him the right man for his daugliter and he turns to us, that he should find an open hand. TILLE Well, father, you see I didn't have to worry ! THE FIRST MAN So may Gijod help us, so may there be no more poor maidens among us Jews — as we always thought just so. And now that God has helped you so and that you can give your daughter all the beautiful and many tliousands — now you should repay our good will toward you with interest. So here is our book, Reb Chonc, and if you can, write down into it such a sum as your lieart commands you to put down, and, naturally, the more the bet- ter, and as a reward God will send you entire heal- ing for your sickness. [He opens the book and places it, together renth a pencil, on the table in front of CHONE.] 114 THE TREASURE [Act III CHONE [Groan*.] Tille, oh, but I feel sick! JACHNE-BRAINE [Who has been sitting on the bed, drags herself to the sofa.] Oh, he really feels sick. Oh, he'll end by being really ill. TILLE [Busies herself about her father.] He must get some sleep. He didn't close an eye all night. THE SECOND MAN It's the excitement. That is always so. I know of a case where a man was driven crazy through a surprise like that. He was a poor man and when he suddenly received news of a great inheritance he was stricken with madness on the spot. JACHNE-BRAINE God preserve us and all Jews from the like. THE SECOND MAN I was just trying to show you what excitement can lead to. TILLE The best thing for him now is rest. He must rest and see no one and hear no one. THE SECOND MAN How were we to know that he would fall sick all of a sudden? Especially since, not longer ago than last night, he was in the synagogue. Act III] THE TREASURE 115 THE FIRST MAN [Gets up.] There's nothing to be done. I sup- pose we must come back another time. Never mind^ Reb Chone, you won't escape us, I know. THE SECOND MAN [Gets up too. To TiLLE.] Well, but you're there ! You can do the giving. TILLE Tell me yourself, do you think we're interested in anything like that now? Let father get well first. THE SECOND MAN Exactly. Give a gift that he may become well. [A carriage is heard drawing up at the door.'\ TILLE I think I hear a cab. Maybe it's the doctor. [cHONE groans very loud.] [jACHNE-BRAiNE riugs her hands in despair and drags herself back to the bed.] THE SECOND MAN Do matters really stand so? Did you really send for the doctor? IBoth men move azeay from the table toward the left side of the room.] [two men enter, are somewhat surprised to find the first two there and say somewhat uncertainly : "Good day!" There is some movement and mu- tual salutation: "Oh, Reb Itsche ! " "Reb Joseph!" "Mr. Rabinovitsk ! " "Reb Fai- vish! "] 116 THE TREASURE [Лет III FIRST MAN OF SOCIETY FOR POOR MAIDENS Aha ! The Society for the Care of the Sick has come too ! [cHONE grasps his head.'] FIRST MAN OF SOCIETY FOR THE CARE OF THE 8ICK Look! He's actually lying down! SECOND MAN OF THE S. P. P. M. [With a serious expr^sion.] It's the excite- ment. They have smnmoned the doctor. SECOND MAN OF THE S. C. S. Is he as ill as all that? FIRST MAN OF THE S. С S. To get ill just now is stupid of you, Reb Chone! FIRST MAN OF THE S. P. P. M. That's what I said too. It's simply wrong. [They all seat themselves around the table.] FIRST MAN OF THE S. C. S. When a man has money he has no right to be ill. JACHNE-BRAINE [Moans.] When a man has money . . . FIRST MAN OF THE S. С S. You mean to say, little mother, that illness doesn't ask to whom it may come.'' . . . But I tell you that your old man has gotten off very lightly and so have you all. I read in the paper not long ago that in some city, I've forgotten which — I Act III] THE TREASURE 117 think it was in Krementshug, or in . . . no, it was in Krementshug — well, that there a man re- ceived a telegram telling him that he had won fifty- thousand rubles — and when he got through read- ing the telegram he simply slammed down on the floor and died. He had a stroke ! THE SECOND MAN OF THE S. P. P. M. And I know of a case . . . TILLE Those aren't very pleasant things to tell here now! FIRST MAN OF THE S. C. S. Why, God preserve us, God preserve all Jews from such misfortunes. I merely meant to say: you ought to thank God that the surprise didn't bring worse evil upon you. He's indisposed. But that will pass. Won't it, Reb Chone.'' Come, get up, let us drink a bit of brandy and here is our book. Take it and pledge yourself to the Society for the Care of the Sick for a fine, large, splendid gift. FIRST MAN OF THE 8. P. P. M. As between the Society for the Providing of Dowries for Poor Maidens and the Society for the Care of the Sick — the maidens ought to come first. FIRST MAN OF THE S. C. 8. No, the sick ought to come first! And then we have an old accounting with Reb Chone. We're slightly related, so to speak. 118 THE TREASURE [Act III FIRST MAN OF THE S. P. P. M. Because you furnished him his work, I suppose? Нее — heehee ! SECOND MAN OF THE S. P. P. M. In spite of it all Reb Chone will pledge himself to us first. If for no other reason than because we were here first. SECOND MAN OF THE S. С S. Go ahead for all I care. Let him pledge him- self to you first, and to us for more ! FIRST MAN OF THE S. P. P. M. What do you mean by more? Is Reb Chone going to make a difference by giving more here and less there? SECOND MAN OF THE S. P. P. M. He'll give more to each ! Нее — hee — hee ! There'll be enough for all, won't there, Reb Chone ? CHONE My head is splitting! My head is splitting! JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, it's really enough to make one's head split! TILLE You must have a good sleep, father. Why isn't the doctor here yet? SECOND MAN OP THE S. P. P. M. It is true. We must let Reb Chone have a good rest. Act III] THE TREASURE 119 FIRST MAN OF THE S. C. S. The Talmud says that if you visit a sick man you take from him one-sixtieth of his sickness, and so we are taking from him four-sixtieths of his sick- ness. And if the little mother will be so kind as to give us something to drink I'll take thirteen- sixtieths of his sickness upon myself at once. [To CHONE.] Well, why do you lie there and droop your head.'' You don't know what to do лvith all the money? Be assured you will кполу well enough once you are quite well again. [Voices are heard from without.l A CROWD OF MEN FROM THE BURIAL SOCIETY [Enter.] Make way! Make way! The pious brothers are here ! The Burial Society has come ! Much happiness to you ! Much happiness ! Where is the brandy! SECOND MAN OF THE S. P. P. M. Sh-sh! Reb Chone isn't well! FIRST MAN OF THE BURIAL SOCIETY What.'' He isn't well? [Rushes up to chone.] What ails you, Reb Chone? Have you the debtor's fever ? SECOND MAN OF THE B. S. Come, get up, we'll take a drink ! THIRD MAN OF THE B. S. Drag him down from the sofa ! What lazy ly- ing around is that! 120 THE TREASURE [Act III FOURTH MAN OF THE B. 8. That's true! He'll get well! He has no right to be sick when we are here! TILLE Have pity and leave him alone! Don't vou see how he looks! SECOND MAN OP THE S. P. P. M. It was the excitement. They have summoned the doctor. FIRST MAN OP THE B. 8. Nonsense — a doctor for Chone ! Isn't he one of our brotherhood and for us brandy is the best doctor. We don't need any doctors, do we, Chone ? Eh ? Why do you lie there like an old woman rat- tling your teeth } CHONE My head ! Oh, my head ! FIRST MAN OP THE B. 8. If a man has a headache, it is written in the Talmud, let him study, and studying that means drinking. Get up and stop that nonsense. FIRST MAN OF THE S. С S. That's right! That's right! Go for him! SECOND MAN OF THE B. S. It's an insult to our society for our grave-digger to play us a trick like that. To lie down when he ought to treat us to drinks. Act III] THE TREASURE 121 FIRST MAN OP THE B. S. Trot out the drinks ! You ought to have mvited us yesterday, right after evening prayer! SEVERAL [At the same time.'] Bring out the drinks! The drinks ! He can lie there, and we'll drink ! We'll drink twice over — once for him and once for our- selves. [They rush up to chone and are about to drag him from the sofa."] [chone moans, closes his eyes, and protects his pocket with his hand.] FIRST MAN of the B. 8. Look at our very sick man holding his hand over his pocket. You can't tear it away ! CHONE [Groans.] Tille! Tille! FIRST MAN OF THE B. 8. Here we have money ! Here we have money ! [He holds in his hand several bank-notes and a few gold coins and displays them.] Aha! Here are the beautiful Imperials, the golden treasure coins! And here are the bank-notes ! TILLE [Has approached the man from behind and snatches the money from his hand.] What do you mean by taking the money yourself? And by put- ting your hand into another man's pocket ? Where do you think you are? In a public-house? Not even to have pity on a sick man ! Drunkards ! 122 THE TREASURE [Act III JACHNE-BRAINE [Scarcely able to speak.^ To put your band into a man's pocket . . . [cHONE groans.'] FIRST MAN OF THE B. 8. Ha? What? We? Eh? [A cab is heard driving up.] SECOND MAN OF THE S. P. P. M. A cab ! The doctor ! [A silence falls. The men move away from CHONE, take off their caps and whisper.] [the president of THE CONGREGATION enters.] THE MEN OF the B. S. The president ! The president ! the president Why, there's a regular assembly here! And he, o£ all things, is lying down ! [jachne-braine bursts out in tears.] judke [Hisses.] He — he ! A MAN OF THE B. S. He lay down sick on account of the excitement. second MAN OF THE S. P. P, M. They've summoned the doctor! Act III] THE TREASURE 123 THE PRESIDENT [Sits down on a chair next to chone.] WTiat ails you? CHONE ^Groans.] Oh, oh, woe is me ! TILLE You saw for yourself last night how ill he felt and all night he didn't close an eye. He ought to have a good rest, but for two mortal hours it's been swarming with people here. \^Those present make movements as if to go and yet remain. A cab drives up. A voice is heard: " The doctor ! " Looks of suspense are turned to the door.l SOSKIN [Enters with a lawver. They exchange greet- ings with the PRESIDENT and with a few of the others.] People enough, may it not be of evil to us! [To the PRESIDENT.] And you're here too? [Points to CHONE.] And he, if you please, is lying down! JUDKE [Hisses angrily.] He — he! THE PRESIDENT On account of the excitement he is somewhat — h-m. The best thing for us to do is to go. We must let him rest thoroughly and really come to himself. 124 THE TREASURE [Act III SOSKIN As for me, Eeb Chone, I have brought my lawyer along. If he could explain everything to you, you would see that I am right. THE PRESIDENT Let him be now, let him be ! What is there be- tween you and him anyhow .'' SOSKIN The treasure was found on my land — here — [the lawyer is about to speak.^ THE PRESIDENT [To SOSKIN.] Aha! So that's the way it is! Very well, but let him be now. You just recover, Reb Chone. Lie down as you are doing and have a good rest. You don't have to hurry about getting up — you're not going to dig any more graves, of course. By the way, when do you plan to move out? JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, woe is me ! CHONE [Almost voiceless.l Why move out from here.'' THE PRESIDENT You won't want to continue to be a grave-digger ! We've already selected another man in your place. CHONE [Sits мр.] Why another man.^ [More vigor- ously.^ Woe is me, I'll be left without bread! [A general movement among those present.^ Act III] THE TREASURE 125 JACHNE-BRAINE [^Bursts out weeping.] Oh, I'm struck to death. THE PRESIDENT What does that mean: you will be left without bread ? What are you saying there, Reb Chone ? A VOICE It's the fever speaking from him. A SECOND VOICE He has entirely forgotten his treasure ! CHONE What treasure? Where is there a treasure? I have none ! We'll all starve ! JACHNE-BRAINE Woe is me ! What a visitation has come upon us ! VARIOUS VOICES How? What? No treasure at all? Ha, ha, ha ! A fine subterfuge ! Ha, ha, ha ! THE PRESIDENT Be quiet! Nonsense, Reb Chone! You won't wriggle out of the situation by such talk ! SOSKIN Of course that's mere pretence! You have the treasure safe enough! CHONE Subterfuge! Pretence! ^VЪere are they? Yes- terday my son buried his dead dog and found a few 126 THE TREASURE [Act III Imperials, I don't even know how many, because this daughter of mine grabbed them and ran away with them and spent everything and in addition spread the rumour that we had found a treasure. It pleased her to play the part of a millionaire's daughter. THE PRESIDENT [Ironically.l Is that so? WTiy didn't you tell us that story yesterday ? FIRST MAN OF THE S. P. P. M. And all this comedy that you've been playing for our benefit? FIRST MAN OF THE S. C. S. It's all a lie ; you have the treasure ! SOSKIN Be still ! Tell me then where he buried the dog? CHONE How do I know? [General laughter.] Do I know where he foimd it? Do I even know how much he found ? Here he is ! Let him tell you ! JUDKE [Mutters.'} In the graveyard. SOSKIN But whereabouts? In the new field or in the old? JUDKE Don't remember! [Violent laughter.} Act III] THE TREASURE 137 CHONE It's no laughing matter. He really can't remem- ber. He's forgotten луЬеге. THE PRESIDENT Well, how do you expect us not to laugh .'' WTiat does that mean ; he has forgotten ! CHONE So surely as I live, he has forgotten. Clean for- gotten ! JACIINE-BRAINE It happens to him very often. Especially after one of his attacks. He'll be doing a thing this minute and then go and forget it at once. Then he can't remember no matter what happens. THE PRESIDENT Why didn't you tell us all that yesterday? CHONE Because . . . because . . . VOICES Aha! Aha! Out лvith it! Why? TILLE [Who has hitherto been staring movelessltj at the company, now turns to them.] Because it pleased me to play the part of a лусакЬу woman in order to get a husband. Does that satisfy you? VOICES He — he I What do you say to her ? 128 THE TREASURE [Act III THE PRESIDENT Nonsense! [To chone.] Well, then: because — CHONE Because we wanted to gain time to find the hole. Maybe a treasure is really buried there. THE PRESIDENT And how did you intend to set about finding it? TILLE If you seek, you find ! VOICES Hi — hi ! Fine excuses ! CHONE He has put up a memorial. Just as you see him there, the unfortunate creature, he yet put up a memorial to his dog in the form of a little board and carved upon it with a knife: Schutschke, rest in peace ! [A storm of laughter.'] SOSKIN [Cries out.l It's a put-up job! There's not a word of truth in it ! Yesterday it was said the girl found it, to-day, the boy! They have the treas- ure! TILLE And you yourself heard father say in the syna- gogue yesterday that he had found it. If you won't believe us — don't ! Believe, if you want to. Act III] THE TREASURE 129 that we have the treasure — say, I have found it — and that we don't want to give it up. CHONE [Jumps up and beats on the table.'\ Be silent, you ! Be silent ! FIRST MAN OF THE B. S. Look at him! He is quite well! CHONE That was only a notion of hers. She made me lie down here ! VOICES Ha — ha — ha — ! Pretended to be sick! A farce. CHONE She did that to gain time to look for the treasure. If she hadn't . . . THE PRESIDENT Well, then, we liaven't any more to say to each other. We understand the whole business. But I'll tell you this much, Chone: If your son should happen to remember where he buried his dog, or you should find the place yourself — you are not to believe that the money, if found, is yours and belongs to you. The graveyard belongs to the con- gregation and so does the treasure. TILLE A just decision, I must say! 130 THE TREASURE [Act III [sosKiN talks eagerly to the president of the CONGREGATION who seems scarcely to listen to him.'\ [several men of THE B. s. who stand near the door slip out.} [first man of the s. c. 9. assumes a serious ex- pression of countenance, lowers his face and goes out.} FIRST MAN of the S. P. P. M. [LooJcs out at the window.} It seems to have stopped raining. I have no time at all. Good day. {^Hurries out.} [second man of the 9. P. p. M. looks out at the win- dow, says simply, " Yes," and hurries out like- wise.} THE president [/и a loud voice as though addressing those hur- rying out.} Whoever finds the treasure will have to share it with the congregation and that in such a manner as the congregation shall decide. [second MAN OF THE s. c. s. clears his throat and walks out.} SOSKIN \^Also in a loud voice.} Excuse me! That is to say, unless the treasure be found in the new field. I have sold the new field to the congregation but not what is buried in it. Here is my lawyer . . . THE lawyer On the basis of paragraph, number . . . Act III] THE TREASURE 131 THE PRESIDENT We'll talk about that later. Let us not sell the skin before the bear is killed. SOSKIN I simply meant to sound a warning. Come, Mr. Mirkin. Good day. \^He leaves with the law- yer.] first man of the b. s. Well, I'll be going too. [He goes and the other members of the burial society follow /ггтп.] TILLE See, how they have spread out over the grave- yard, like grasshoppers — the money grubbers ! THE PRESIDENT Well, and you, I think, have heard and have un- derstood me. I mean all of you. CHONE Certainly. Do you believe that, if I had really found the treasure, I would not have shared it with the congregation.'' THE PRESIDENT All the better. And since you're not ill you can move out to-day. CHONE Why? JACHNE-BRAINE What's that again? Move out? 133 THE TREASURE [Act III THE PRESIDENT Didn't I tell you that we have another grave- digger? We have already made the appointment. CHONE What is that? You want to take the treasure and my position too? [jACHNE-BRAINE Wuils loudly.'] THE PRESIDENT No one is robbing you of the treasure; you have not found it. What your daughter has bought you may keep in peace, as well as the bit of money you have there. No one demands a share of that. Keep that for yourself . . . CHONB And nothing else . . . ! We'll starve to death ! THE PRESIDENT There's been no agreement that you're to remain grave-digger forever. JACHNE-BRAINE For fourteen years he was grave-digger and now in our old age we are to go without bread, we are to go begging ! THE PRESIDENT Well — there's nothing to be done about it. \He turns to gro.] CHONE [Beats his fist angrily on the table. 1 I won't stir from this spot! I won't move out from here Act III] THE TREASURE 133 whatever happens ! I've been grave-digger for fourteen years and I won't bear to be kicked out without so much as a by your leave ! THE PRESIDENT Oh, very well, if you're going to talk that way, you had better call a drayman and move out at once. Otherwise you'll be put out by force. CHONE I won't move out if it's to be the death of me! THE PRESIDENT Oh, very well, very well ! [He hurries out-l JACHNE-BRAINE \^Hurries after him, weeping.'] How can your heart consent to such an action .'' Surely we must find a place to live first! CHONE You'll not go looking for a place. I won't per- mit myself to be thrown out, come what may. . . . There's still a Rabbi, there's still such a thing as a thorough discussion, there's still such a thing as a court! For fourteen years have I been grave- digger and now. . . . Oh, oh, oh! [To tille.] You see now, don't you, to what you have brought us? Oh, I'll . . . Where is my stick? I'll throt- tle you, I'll beat you to death! JUDKE [Jumps up.'\ No beating her! I'll remember! You see! 134 THE TREASURE [Лет III TILLE Oh, yes, strike me, kill me ! Take a stick or a knife ! I suppose I could help you look for it then. You had better calm down. You have really no reason to raise such a hue and cry. You're really rich now, and if you should need more money, it will be forthcoming. Do let me take care of that; you'll . . • JACHNE-BRAINE Incomes hastily back from the door.'\ Oh, there comes the whole family — Lea and Freide and Gelie and Bendet. . . . CHONE [As though suddenly awakened, grasps his head.] Latch the door! Oh, latch the door! CURTAIN ACT IV The graveyard. It is late in the evening. The rain has ceased but the sky is still clouded; only here and there glimmers a star. At the left two sides of the grave-digger's little house are visible. The front wall shows a door, the side-wall two windows. Behind the house is the death chamber; between the house and the death chamber is the great gate for waggons. Diagonally from the house there runs a broad path intersected by side paths. To the right of the main path, behind the death chamber, as well a^ to the left, stand rows of trees, several •wooden huts, pretentious grave-stones, fenced family plots, plain memorial stones and mere tablets of wood. In front of the house staiids a tree. About it lie chone's possessions. The cupboard lies on its side against the window sill; one bed stands on end leaning against the tree. The sofa stands against the corner of the little house, its head against the cupboard, its foot toward the background. Before it stands a table. The chairs are scattered along the path. Bedding and garments lie about on the cupboard and the sofa. The graveyard swarms with people. One hears the sound of innumerable voices and sees wandering lights. Dark figures with lanterns in their hands come and go through the gate or into the death 135 136 THE TREASURE [Act IV chamber. On the table stands a burning lan- tern. JACHNE-BRAiNE is Seen to be lying on the sofa. Now and then she groans. On the bench sits judke, makes faces and laughs merrily from time to time, a man and A WOMAN approach from the nearest side path with lanterns in their hands. THE WOMAN Oh, how tired I am from bending over! How my back hurts me ! THE MAN I've heard that before, I've heard that before! Well, what do you expect? We're going now to sit down. [They sit down on the chairs.] THE WOMAN What a misfortune ! To-day of all days it must rain so that one cannot sit down in the grass. THE MAN Would you rather go into the death chamber? The air is too damp here. THE WOMAN Of all things ! I'd die of fright in there. Every one of my limbs is trembling now from walking about amid graves by night! But this at least is in the open among other people. [jACHNE-BRAINE sighs.'\ THE WOMAN [Starting up.] Oh, my good Grod! Act IV] THE TREASURE 137 THE MAN Why are you so frightened? It's the grave-dig- ger's wife. THE WOMAN [Sits down again.] Oh, all my blood seemed to be leaving me. I thought it was one of the dead. JACHNE-BRAINE One of the dead ! Oh, if only I were well dead ! I am worse than dead. The dead at least have rest. And I haven't even that. THE WOMAN Oh, I shouldn't have come here at all! The bending over is not so bad, but the fright is dread- ful. It'll be a miracle if I'm not taken in labour before my time — JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, woe is me, even the women with child go seeking treasures ! THE WOMAN Be assured that, if I find it, I have a very good use for it. THE MAN Are you rested now? We didn't come here to sit around idle! THE WOMAN Oh, come on then, come on ! [the man gets up and THE WOMAN arises with difficulty, leaning against him.'] 138 THE TREASURE [Act IV. [jUDKE laughs aloud.l [the woman utters a cry, swings around, grasps the man with both hands to steady herself and looks about her with wild eyes.'\ THE MAN [Loohs around, observes judke and spits con- temptuously.] Fy! That's their son — the crazy fellow ! [They go and disappear among the grave- stones. THE WOMAN moans.] JACHNE-BRAINE [Looks after her for a while.] Oh, oh! Big with child! Her time almost come! She'll kill the child. . . . And you, will you stop laughing? What is there for you to laugh at suddenly, I'd like to know ... [judke laughs a short laugh; then falls silent again. One hears the far sound of voices and sees the shadows of dark, moving figures.] CHONE [Comes through the great gate, holding some- thing in his hand, steps up to jachne-braine, not quite steady on his legs and bends over her.] There's something warming for you. jachne-braine [Starts up.] Oh, may the . . .! You've scalded me! CHONE Serves you right! There! Take it! Act IV] THE TREASURE 139 JACHNE-BRAINE Can't you look and see what you're doing ? [She takes a glass of tea from him.^ A glass of some- thing warm — half spilt ! And you smell of whiskey ! You went and got drunk ! I lie out here in the rain and the wet and you have to go to the pub and sit there and swill ! CHONE \^Sits down on the cupboard.'\ You had better have your quarrels and explanations with that fine daughter of yours, not with me. JACHNE-BRAINE Old sot! CHONE Quarrel with your daughter, I say, not with me ! JACHNE-BRAINE May death himself soon have his quarrel with you both! CHONE Go, look her up and talk to her. Go, go, she's looking for the treasure. First she stirred up the whole town and now she runs like a poisoned rat from one end of the graveyard to the other and hunts, hunts for the little board ..." Schutschke, rest in peace "... hay, hay, hay ! Oh, why didn't I break every bone in her body yesterday? Then we would have known nothing of this mis- fortune. I should not have let her go yesterday morning, but should have taken all the money from her. I should have throttled her, I should have broken her bones. 140 THE TREASURE [Act ly JACHNE-BRAINE Why didn't you do it? Why? CHONE Oh, I should have twisted her neck — hers and yours too! JACHNE-BRAINE You sot! Why mine? Didn't I cry out at once: Take the money from her ! CHONE I'll tell you why ! , To get rid of you all ! JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, that I may be rid of you shortly ! One can see that you wish to destroy us. Why didn't you let me look for a dwelling? Why? CHONE You had better tell your daughter, the millionaire lady. She will build you a house of stone. And now be still. Let me sleep. [To judke, who laughs.^ And you, stop laughing! Why do you neigh like a . . . [Kicks out at him.] Hush! Let me sleep! • JACHNE-BRAINE He has drunk his fill and he lies down. And what is to happen now? [ CHONE turns his back to her.'] [An OLD MAN and an old woman appear.] Act IV] THE TREASURE 141 OLD MAN No, it's too much for our strength and too much for our eye-sight. . . . We may have passed by the little board twenty times and not have seen it. OLD WOMAN If one could at least sit down on the grass ! [They both sit down on chairs.'\ OLD MAN I would only like to know how late it is. JACHNE-BRAINE The city clock struck eleven a little while ago. OLD WOMAN Oh, how that startled me. I forgot entirely that she is lying here. OLD MAN So did I! Fy! [He spits.l JACHNE-BRAINE Woe is me ! How low have I fallen that I must lie in the open and scare people! [Weeps.'\ OLD WOMAN If you must be lying here, at least lie still. You frighten people with your talk. OLD MAN It's after eleven already. Do you know that we've been walking around for nearly three hours .'* 1Ш THE TREASURE [Act IV OLD WOMAN And do tell me to what purpose? OLD MAN Why don't you go home then? Who is forcing you? OLD WOMAN You say yourself it is nothing for such eyesight as ours. OLD MAN And now I will go and find it. OLD WOMAN Yes, you will go and find the day that is past. OLD MAN Then tell me: why have you been seeking? OLD WOMAN How do I know? You are seeking — I do the same. Perhaps we don't need the treasure, eh ? . . . Oh, I shall fall over ! OLD MAN I'd like more than a little to drink a glass of something warm. {^He sits quietly for a while.^ [old woman gives a short snore.l [juDKE laughs.l old man [Looks around frightened, sees judke, spits and shakes the old woman.] Don't fall asleep what- ever you do ! Act IV] THE TREASURE 143 OLD WOMAN Oh, I can't hold my eyes open any longer. OLD MAN Have we coals with which to heat the samovar? OLD WOMAN Where? Here? OLD MAN I mean at home, at home ! OLD WOMAN And suppose we have some at home, what of it? OLD MAN And will you bring out the dish of raspberries? OLD WOMAN Behold the glutton ! I am ready to fall over and he . . .! OLD MAN If you promise to bring it out, I'll go home with you. OLD WOMAN [Gets up.l And what will become of the treas- ure? You were just about to find it! OLD MAN [Rises too.] So take notice! Tea and stewed raspberries. Otherwise I'll stay here. [They walk a few steps. The old man lights up both sides of the path and looks around. At the turn 144 THE TREASURE [Act IV of the path he remains standing and says plead- ingly to the OLD WORIAN.] Maybe we ought to look for another minute, eh? I know — maybe just now we'll . . . eh? OLD WOMAN [Angrily.'] There he goes again. Come home! Come! [They disappear. Various dark figures carrying lanterns appear and sit down, some on the chairs, some on the window sill, remain for a moment, then jump up and disappear again. Finally from among the graves come three young MEN engrossed in conversation and go toward the bench by the window.] THE FIRST My plan is the following: We mustn't look around the headstones at all — THE SECOND This bench is wet. THE THIRD At least one can lean against it. One's legs give way beneath one. THE FIRST Will you listen or not? We mustn't search among the grave-stones at all. It is perfectly clear that the crazy boy buried his dog either behind the fence or under a tree. Therefore I am of the opinion that . • . THE SECOND Why is that so clear? Act IV] THE TREASURE 145 THE FIRST Wliy? It's very simple. He's not so com- pletely crazy and has probably so much under- standing left that he did not bury his dog among the graves — THE THIRD And to write on the headstone: " Rest in peace ! " that is sensible^ too, I suppose. THE SECOND You just try to get to the bottom of a fool's mind! It may just have occurred to him to bury his dog next to his grandmother's grave. [Ea- gerly.^ Do you know? That's rather a good idea! I really wouldn't mind knowing where his grandmother is buried. THE FIRST And I tell you, you had better follow me and let us look under the trees and along the fence. THE SECOND People have looked all over — under the trees and beside the fence and behind the fence. THE THIRD Do you know, too, that the whole town is assem- bled here.'' THE SECOND Only this town? I wager you'll find people here from the neighbouring communities. [Suddcnlt/ in the backfjnmnd arise, niid approaeh, the hysterical cries of a xcoman. The young men get up and 140 THE TREASURE [Act IVl go in the direction of the cries. ^A young woman is led in, followed by several people.'] THE SECOND [Го one of the newcomers.] What's tfiat? THE NEWCOMER She took fright! It seemed to her that one of the dead was standing behind her A VOICE Take her into the death chamber. OTHER VOICES No, no ! She'll be frightened again in there ! Take her home ! Take her into the pub across the way! [The woman is led out through the great gate, her cries are lost in the distance. Several remain sitting on the bench by the window; then they jump up and disappear among the graves.] THE THIRD Well, then, come on ! Let us look further. THE FIRST You'll see ! I'll look under the trees and by the fence. THE SECOND Under the trees or on the trees for all I care ! If only we find it! JACHNE-BRAINE [Groans.] They'll get convulsions here! They'll stay till they die! They'll — God knows Act IV] THE TREASURE 147 what all . . . Oh, oh, oh! [The sky is now clear and full of stars. The moon shines.^ [jUDKE suddenly laughs aloud and jumps up.] JACHNE-BRAINE What ails you to-day? What is the matter with you? For six solid hours you have not ceased laughing. Have you gone crazy entirely ? JUDKE [Steps up to her and whispers, almost choked with laughter.] You see what I do. I remember. Oh, I'll do something! Tille taught me how . . . told me . . . Oh, I remember . . . watch! JACHNE-BRAINE You'll remember, will you? Yes, I see you re- membering. JUDKE I remember. I'm strong . . . I'll see . . . Oh, I'll do! [He laughs and goes back to his former place.] JACHNE-BRAINB What will you do? What has she taught you? JUDKE [Laughs.] Wait and see! You see! Oh. . . I . . . Tille smart . . . [a woman comes running from the background. She carries a sleeping child and is accompanied by a LITTLE GIRL, zvho zveeps and carries a lantern.] 148 THE TREASURE [Act IV THE LITTLE GIRL I want to go to sleep ! I want to go home. I want to go to sleep! I want to go home. THE WOMAN Oh, come on, come on ! You child of ill omen ! Here I have a chance to be eased of all my miseries — and suddenly she is overcome with sleep. \^Dis- appears through the gate.'] [four boys come running along with paper lan- terns. Three sit down upon chairs; the other stretches himself out on the table.] A boy [^Continuing the story f he has been telling.] . . . And when he saw him he dr^w ofF his left boot and threw it at him and cried: " Stop, you are mine ! " And at once the fire disappeared and under the boot was a deep hole in the earth and in that hole lay the treasure. THE SECOND BOY And my grandfather told me a different story again. There was once a very, very great forest with tall, dense trees, so that one could not make one's way among them. And in that forest a sound of singing Avas to be heard, a sound so beautiful and soft as though the loveliest voice in the world were singing there. And so sлveet was the song that no one could tear himself away and all desired to see who was singing there. But it лvas difficult to penetrate into the forest. And when those луеге found who could make their way among the trees, a great snake came and killed them. Thus no one Act IV] THE TREASURE 149 could learn who was singing so beautifully — yet all desired to learn it. Now in the little town there lived a very pious man. To this man it was re- vealed in a dream that whosoever could win to the place Avhence the song sounded would find a treas- ure there. And in this same dream he was com- manded not to go upon the quest himself, nor to send another until the chosen one came. And in the town dwelled a poor man who was also very compassionate and once the poor man came to the pious man and wept grievously. " Great Rabbi, help me ! " he cried. " How am I to help you, my son?" asked the pious man. And the poor man made answer, " I have given my last shift to one who had none at all; I have given the last bit of straw from my resting place to one who had no straw to lie upon at all. Now I have nothing left and can help no one." \Vben the pious man heard this he knew that the chosen one had come, and he spoke thus : " Fast for three days and three nights and repeat the psalms thrice each day, and on the morning of the fourth day set out for the forest and for the place >vhence the singing is heard. And count the stones upon the Avay which you will find to the number of three hundred and fourteen, for so many are the letters with which the name of the Eternal is named, and the last stone of all you are to pick up and take with you. When you have en- tered into the forest and see the snake do not be affrighted and run away, but say seven times, ' Food has come out of the fire, and sweetness from strength,' and hurl the stone at the snake. What will come to pass further, you will see for yourself." The poor man did as the pious man had bidden him: he fasted for three days and three 150 THE TREASURE [Act IV nights and thrice upon each day he repeated the psalms. On the fourth day he went into the for- est, to the place whence the singing sounded, counted the stones up to three hundred and four- teen, lifted up the last stone and entered into the forest. He could scarcely force his way among the trees; the branches beat his face and the hard twigs tore his face and his body. But he went farther and farther and ever nearer and nearer to the place Avhence the singing came. And when he was quite near to it, the song fell silent and from a cavern leaped a great snake and opened its jaws and was about to devour him. But he remembered what the pious man had told him, and was not af- frighted and ran not away but said seven times: " Food has come out of the fire and sweetness from strength," and hurled his stone against the snake. Then suddenly the snake crumbled and turned into a great heap of money, a veritable mountain of golden coins. [The speaker is silent. The silence lasts for a space.'] THE BOY [On the table. 1 I'm wet through . . . THE THIRD BOY [To the teller of the tale.] Well, and what happened then.'' THE SECOND BOY What more could happen.^ There is nothing more. The poor man, I suppose, took all the money home with him and became very rich. My grand- father told me no more. Act IV] THE TREASURE ISl THE THIRD BOY I suppose he divided the whole treasure among the poor? THE FIRST BOY Do you think so ? I don't ! A treasure is not a bundle of straw; one doesn't give it away so easily. THE BOY [On the tahle.l My mother will beat me. She bade me stay at home and look after my little sis- ter, and she came here herself. . . . She'll half kill me. \^He lifts his legs and turns himself around.] JACHNE-BRAINE Get down from the table ! You'll end by break- ing it! [the boys jump up frightened, look around and disappear, laughing, amid the trees.] l^The PRESIDENT op THE CONGREGATION, SOSKIN, and a crowd of men come from the death cham- ber.'] THE PRESIDENT I have been telling you that there's no use for us to quarrel now. Let us wait and see when the time comes. SOSKIN But the law is as I say. 153 THE TREASURE [Act IV THE PRESIDENT May you take no hurt from saying that over twenty times. I know the law too. Let that suf- fice. How late is it now, eh.'' ONE OF THE BYSTANDERS After eleven. THE PRESIDENT Three times I have sent the crier to bid people stop searching. They will destroy the Avhole graveyard, and anyhow find nothing at night. It did no good. No one moved from the spot. Still, I don't want to send for the police. I'll have it cried out again. [They all disappear in the back- ground.] JACHNE-BRAINE [Calling after them.] After fourteen years of hard work one is thrown out and must lie in the street! It takes the heart of a murderer to act so! Who ever heard of the like.'* JUDKE [Angrily.'\ Hay! Hay! I'll fix . . . I'll show . . . [Laughs.] THE crier's voice [Is heard among the graves.] The council bids you go home полу and come back in the morning I [The voice is gradually lost in the distance. Men and women come from all directions. Some go toward the gate, others toward the death chamber, yet others remain sitting on the bench and on the stairs.] Act IV] THE TREASURE 153 A MAN [On the bench.'] And if the council has it cried out from to-day till to-morrow, do you suppose any one will go ? Nonsense ! Especially not now that the moon has come up. SECOND MAN [Sitting on a chair.] Look at me! My legs will scarcely support me; in spite of that I won't go. I'll tell you the trutli. Here I sit and it vexes me bitterly that I do so. For would you be- lieve it.'' It seems to me that especially this min- ute — if I were seeking, I would find. I'm going to run along again, too. [He jumps up and has- tens away.] THIRD MAN [On the bench.] Oh, I'd like to go home and have a good sleep — but only if all go. If all were willing to, I'd go too. I'm so sleepy, so sleepy! And I had such a hard fast yesterday. [He yawns.] FOURTH MAN And it's so late, too — almost midnight. The (dead will soon arise to say their prayers. A WOMAN Ah, don't speak so ! My very heart is ready to fall out with terror ! I look and while I am look- ing I'm afraid to turn my eyes away from the place. It always seems as though one of the dead were standing next to me. 154 THE TREASURE [Act IV. SECOND WOMAN Don't take the trouble to ask how I feel. In addition people are coming in white garments. A MAN It is the truth, one feels uncanny here. But to sit here and stare into space is still worse. It's not so bad while one is seeking. But to sit here . . . ! Surely one gradually comes to see ghosts. ANOTHER MAN Who was the wiseacre that began to talk about the dead.'* THE FOURTH MAN If any one is afraid, let him go home. A WOMAN Woe is me! Stop talking! I'm afraid I'll soon . . . SECOND WOMAN Why do we sit here ? Let us rather go and seek ! Shall we all go together.'' THIRD WOMAN Yes, let us go together. And whoever finds it, finds it. \They all arise and goJ] A WOMAN I'm so afraid to look behind me. And there be- hind . . . behind us ... oh I Act IV] THE TREASURE 155 A MAN IHarshly.'] Don't chatter! Stop! SECOND MAN A woman must chatter. She must. Don't look behind you, then! Seek! We are all fright- ened . . . but one must be silent. So keep still and hunt . . . \_They disappear and silence ensues.^ [tille, in her new garments, a veil hiding her face, comes through the gate, approaches jachne- BRAiNE and bends over her to see whether she is asleep.^ JACHNE-BRAINE l^Starts ир.] Who is it? [tille laughs and lifts her veiL'\ JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, you ! How you frightened me ! What kind of a veil is that.'' And what is that play acting for.? TILLE [Laughs.'] I went to the station to see my be- trothed, the engineer for thirty thousand rubles. . . JACHNE-BRAINE Wliat? Oh, that . . .! TILLE [Sits down on the sofa.] He was to come at eleven, so I went to the station to see him. I 156 THE TREASURE [Act IV thought the marriage broker would probably go to meet him, so I put on this veil that he might not recognise me. I wanted to see how my tall, hand- some engineer looks, whom I might have bought for thirty thousand rubles. But the broker was not at the station. So I don't know whether he cheated me, pocketed the money and didn't wire at all, or whether he sent a second wire telling the engineer not to come. Or perhaps he was afraid to show himself to my supposed betrothed, and therefore didn't go to the station at all, and so my handsome, tall engineer Avorth thirty thousand rubles had to drive all by himself to a hotel, had no one to meet him, and is now making inquiries in the city only to discover . . . JACHNE-BRAINE ^Pushes TiLLE.] Go, go out of my sight. She can laugh at it all! TILLE Hush! Don't push me! Don't you see I'm putting myself in his place. And I feel awfully sorry for him. The poor fellow comes here, think- ing he'll fetch thirty thousand rubles and a bride in addition, and now he has to go back home with nothing! I am convinced that he has come and that he is here. Several young men came from the train, and they were all handsome — each hand- somer than the other. At least, it seemed so to me. There are times when all young men seem handsome to me. JACHNE-BRAINE What do you say to her! Act IVJ THE TREASURE 157 TILLE Ha, ha, ha, ha! But now I'm frightfully tired and I haven't even a place where I can lie down. And these grasshoppers will never grow tired of looking, oil, Judke, why don't you remember? Don't you remember yet? JUDKE I strong ... I try. I remember! I'll do it — see . . . [^Grimaces and laughs.^ TILLE But you don't remember. I can't wait for you and I'll have to amuse myself somehow. JACHNE-BRAINE Amuse yourself? What? Isn't all this enough for you? TILLE l^Gets up, takes the lantern from the table and goes toward the right.] One can't sleep here any- how. . . I might as well be hunting in the mean- time . . . [5Ле disappears.'] JUDKE [Jumps up.] I follow. I want to see amuse- ment. [Laughs and limps away after tille.] [JACHNE-BRAINE grOanS.] [For a while there is silence. Then, from differ- ent sides, three men and two women approach the bench.} 158 THE TREASURE [Act IV A MAN You might as well look for the day that is past. SECOND MAN Why are we doing it? You look and look . . . A WOMAN And our legs are growing lame. A THIRD MAN And the most vexatious part is this — you search, you ruin your eyes, bend your back double, and at every moment you must think that some one else has already found the treasure in another place. SECOND WOMAN Oh, suppose some one else has really found it? FIRST MAN Well, then, he has found it — that's all. SECOND WOMAN Very fine ! And in the meantime we go on look- ing! SECOND MAN The matter stands thus : Even if some one finds it, he will not very easily be able to make a secret of it. A treasure is not like a purse that you can pick up and slip into your pocket. First he must dig it up and then he must make some plan for getting it away. And all the while hundreds of people are swarming around here, fortunately. Act IV] THE TREASURE IS» THIRD MAN Hundreds ? Thousands ! SECOND MAN All the better! And each keeps watch on the other. So no one wUl be able to sneak anything away. SECOND WOMAN But suppose some one finds it and doesn't begin to dig at once, but makes a sign and comes back to get it some other time? FIRST MAN Look you! That's a real subtle plan!' SECOND MAN That won't avail either. The graveyard will be well watched so long as the treasure is not found. THIRD MAN I don't believe they'll stop looking at all. FIRST MAN I certainly won't. What have I to lose? Day in and day out I wander about the streets, sniffing about and finding nothing. As it is I am seeking for something here and may find a treasure in the end. SECOND MAN Don't worry! There are many more like you. They hastened to close their shops to-day as though it were a " short Friday," only in order to run 160 THE TREASURE [Act IV here. And I'll wager that half the shops will be closed to-morrow because the salesmen and the saleswomen will all be here. THIRD MAN What do you expect? I am a school teacher and I gave the children a half holiday to-day. And why not.'* Hasn't a teacher some use for a treas- ure too? FIRST WOMAN A treasure! Surely you won't keep the whole treasure for yourself? THE TEACHER ||k Let be ! My share will suffice me if only I find it» SECOND WOMAN All the while this place is alive with people. SECOND MAN To begin with, I'd be content with as many thousands as there have been sins committed here to-day. FIRST WOMAN Oh, what talk ! The graveyard is full of people. THE SECOND MAN How foolish you are! I have myself seen . . . SECOND WOMAN Let us hear what he has seen. Act IV] THE TREASURE 161 FIRST MAN Be still. Don't interrupt him. THE TEACHER Ah, empty chatter. [Gets up and hurries away.'\ FIRST MAN The teacher has run away from us. SECOND WOMAN Well, what is it that you saw? SECOND MAN I suppose you would really like to know it? Ha, ha, ha! tille's [Voice, at the right, from а/яг.] Here — here — here ! It is found ! Found ! Found ! FIRST WOMAN Ah ! Do you hear ? Found ! [All four rush off in the direction of the voice. From all sides people com.e running and cry- ing eagerly : "Found! Found!"] JACHNE-BRAINE Chone ! Chone ! Get up, they have found it ! Get up ! Look at the drunkard ! Chone ! Chone ! [She rises from the sofa and shakes him.^ Get up ! They have found it ! 162 THE TREASURE [Act IV CHONE [Half asleep.'] You go and have it out with your daughter — not with me. JACHNE-BRAINE Have it out with her, eh? Oh, you drunkard! The little board has been found and the treasure! Look how he lies there ! As if it were none of his business at all! Will you get up? CHONE I won't move away! JACHNE-BRAINE You drunkard! [^Gives him a push so that he almost falls down from the chest of drawers and goes in the direction of the voices.'^ tille's [Voice in the background but nearer now.] Here! Here! The little board! The little board! l^All run toward her. Cries are heard: " There it is ! There ! "] JACHNE-BRAINE [Remains standing, slowly wrings her hands and goes back to the sofa.~\ Oh, she ought to be pun- ished ! Oh, some one should take her and . . . ! Oh! Oh! Oh! [She sits down, shaking her head.] TILLE [Behind the death chamber.] Here ! Here ! Here! Behind the death chamber! Behind the death chamber! [All rush thither.] Act IV] THE TREASURE 163 VOICES That can't be true ! First one place and then another^ and now, of all places . . . ! Some one is fooling us ! [tille tvithout her lantern steals forth from be- hind the walls of the death chamber, rushes to the sofa and throws herself on it face down- ward, laughing.] JACHNE-BRAINE [With clenched fists.] Oh, oh, oh! [The sound of voices approaches and a crowd of people comes from behind the death chamber to the main path. In the front row a man is being led who tries to tear himself away. Next to him walk a woman and a boy.] THE MAN [Who is being led.] I won't let you seek the treasure ! It's my treasure ! I buried it ! You mustn't dig it up ! God's curse be upon you all ! I won't permit you! What do you need treasures for ? The whole world is not enough for you. Why do you want to rob me? I won't let you do it! I won't let you! THE AVOMAN Help, good Jews, help ! He has gone mad ! Oh, save us! Help! [The crying is lost in the distance.] [tille stops laughing, assumes a sitting posture and looks after the crowd.] 164 THE TREASURE [Act IV JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, woe is me ! Woe is me ! Why don't you laugh, eh? Why don't you laugh? [Another crowd of people comes from the same direction. Men and women are carrying a woman who moans piteouslyS\ A VOICE [From the first crowd.'] Look, something else is coming here. A VOICE [From the second crowd.] A woman has fallen in the pangs of childbirth, or perhaps it is a mis- carriage . . . [The woman is carried out at the gate.] JACHNE-BRAINE Woe is me! What do you say to that, eh? [tille stretches herself out on the sofa, her face upward, and folds her hands above her head.] JACHNE-BRAINE [Pushes her.] Go! Why have you taken my place ? judke's [Voice. Far away to the right.] I remem- bered! I remembered! I remembered! A woman's [Voice from the same direction.] Why that's the grave-digger's son! Act IVJ THE TREASURE U» CONFUSED CRIES He has remembered — the grave-digger's son has remembered ! — Judke has remembered ! [tillk jumps up and runs toward the back- ground.'\ JACHNE-BRAINE Oh, my hands and my feet are trembling ! JUDKE \^Approaching.'\ I remember! I remember! JACHNE-BRAINE Chone, get up! Judke has remembered! Get up, Chone ! Look at the drunkard ! He can't be waked up! {^Cries aloud.] Chone, get up! Judke has remembered. CHONE \^Raises his head.'\ What do you want, eh? JACHNE-BRAINE Judke has remembered! CHONE [Rises a little more.] Eh? JACHNE-BRAINE [Mocking him.'] Eh? Drunkard! TILLE [Com,es back weary and overworn.'] Too late. 166 THE TREASURE [Act IV JACHNE-BRAINE What do you say to that? Must he cry it out so that all hear it ? Oh^ that . . . ! TILLE Ah, well, there's nothing to be done. CHONE Oh, my daughter, my millionaire lady ! [i/e is about to lie down again.] TILLE Don't lie down now. You'll soon see some- thing. It will amuse you. JACHNE-BRAINE He is lying down again, of all things, the drunkard ! JUDKE \^Accompanied by a great crowd of people runs about among the headstones, leaps and cries:] I've remembered! I've remembered! CONFUSED VOICES Well, where is it.'' Where? Tell us! TILLE [^Stands leaning against the table.] Be still, let him come to himself. He'll tell you when the time comes — JUDKE [Making his way through the crowd, to tille:] I remember, hee, hee, hee ! I remember ! You see ! I fix! Act IV] THE TREASURE 167 [the president of the congregation and soskin crowd up to JUDKE.] THE PRESIDENT Have you rememb'ered where you buried your dog? JUDKE Yes, I remember, hee, hee, hee — I remember. THE PRESIDENT Where is it? SOSKIN On the new field? JUDKE I'll tell . . . but I want ... I want . . . hee, hee, hee! THE PRESIDENT What do you mean — "I want," "I want"! JUDKE [Bursts out.] Won't say! THE PRESIDENT Wliat kind of nonsense is this? JUDKE I tell, but you do what I want. THE PRESIDENT [To TiLLE.] Do you understand wliat he wants ? 168 THE TREASURE [Act IV, TILLE I suppose he has taken something in his head. He'll tell you soon enough. CHONE ISits up and rubs his knee.^ Ah, my little daughter ! л YOICS Well, let us hear what he wants. THE PRESIDENT What do you want? JUDKE I want all to get up — all, all, all, so — all, all ! And what I do — you do same. CHONE {^Laughs somewhat drunkenly.~\ Hay, hay, hay ! ^Lights his pipe."] THE PRESIDENT So that's what you want! I'll beat you to . . .! A VOICE He wants to make fools of us all, it seems. SECOND VOICE The crazy fellow make fools of us.'* No, it's simply his craziness ! THIRD VOICE I suppose he has been put up to this ! Act IV] THE TREASURE 169 CHONE Hay, hay, hay! VOICES Show us the place this minute or we'll tear you to pieces! [They crowd more closely about him.~\ JUDKE [With rage-distorted face.] I won't show! Never ! I forget again I [the crowd surges back, frightened.] TILLE Do you think you are his masters and may beat him? How does it concern you anyhow where the treasure is? CHONE Hear my little daughter! A VOICE What do you mean by saying, how does it con- cern us? For what purpose have we been here for half a day and a whole night? TILLE You won't get a share in the treasure for all that. A VOICE Very well, but we'd simply like to know. JUDKE I run away ! I never tell ! 170 THE TREASURE [Act IV THE PRESIDENT That's what comes of having dealings with a crazy fellow! VOICES Well, for my part, let's stand up. We might as well do his will. What's the difference.'' Let's act a little crazy ! A man would like mightily to know where the treasure is and how big it is! If we could only get half of it ! Stand up ! Stand up! Take it as a penance! JACHNE-BRAINE It's enough to drive one crazy! The things he thinks of! CHONE Hay — hay^ hay! That's right! Hay — hay, hay! THE PRESIDENT It seems that we are going crazy indeed! VOICES Stand up for all I care! Stand up as if you were praying! What do you think? It's nearly time for morning prayers ! Sh ! Keep still ! the general wants to review his troops. [They stand up in a single row.l JUDKE Нее, hee, hee! I show! Нее, hee, hee! I do ... I say . . . you do same, say same! CHONE Hay, hay, hay! Fine! Act IY] THE TREASURE 171 [the president, soskin and several oilier mod' erately well-dressed people withdraw bach- ward from the line.'] JUDKE [To these men.'] All, all! I want, Нее, Нее, hee . . . CHONE Hay, hay, hay, hay! [the PRESIDENT, SOSKIN and the others join the line, yet stand a little aside from it.] JUDKE [Cries.] Нее, hee, hee! [the CROWD is silent.] JUDKE You do same — hee, hee, hee ! the crowd [Bursts out.] Нее, hee, hee! JUDKE [Again.] Нее, hee, hee! the crowd [Repeats.] Нее, hee, hee! [jUDKE makes grimaces.] [the crowd imitates him.] jachne-braine Crazy ! [tille motions her to be silent.] 173 THE TREASURE [Act ly JUDKB Нее, hee, hee! THE CROWD Нее, hee, hee! JUDKE Thieves ! THE CROWD Thieves ! JUDKB Grasshoppers ! THE CROWD Grasshoppers ! JUDKB Money grubbers! THE CROWD Money grubbers! [jACHNE-BRAiNE motious to CHONE with her hand and shakes her head.^ [cHONE bids her, by a motion of the hand, to leave him alone.] JUDKE Нее, hee, hee! THE CROWD Нее, hee, hee! JUDKE Hypocrites ! THE CROWD Hypocrites ! Act IV] THE TREASURE 173 JUDKE Нее, hee, bee! THE CROWD Нее, hee, bee! JUDKK AUof us! THE CROWD All of us! JUDKB Нее, hee, hee! THE CROWD Нее, hee, hee! [jUDKE grimacing адат."] [the CROWD imitates him. In the last rows an hysterical woman bursts out weeping.'] JACHNE-BRAINE Woe is me ! They are all going crazy ! [jUDKE laughs his most disagreeable laugh.] [the crowd scarcely stirs.] A voice We really have gone crazy! What's the use of all this? SECOND VOICE Much good will it do us even if we know where the treasure is ! 174 THE TREASURE [Act IV THIRD VOICE There's some one behind all this ! Do you un- derstand all that he has told us here? VOICES Now he must show us at once. THE PRESIDENT This minute you go and show us ! TILLE [Who has been leaning against the table, her hands upon her bosom, says calmly.^ He's not going to show you yet. [All eyes turn to her.} A VOICE Be still! There's something new again! SECOND VOICE First the brother and then the sister! TILLE [To the astonished chone.] You want to be- come grave-digger again, don't you, father? CHONE [Opens his mouth wide as if he had suddenly grasped the situation. He gets up, walks slowly to the table, lays down his pipe and says with slow emphasis. '1 He will not show! THE PRESIDENT What words are those? What do you mean: he won't show ? I suppose we will all make fools of ourselves here for nothing at all, eh? Act IV] THE TREASURE 175 \ CHONE What do you think? That you are going to take my position away from me and the treasure too? THE PRESIDENT Take it away! Take it away! Aren't you going to get your share? CHONE It is my treasure. My son found it and so the whole of it belongs to us, THE PRESIDENT He found it upon the land of the congregation. S09KIN And undoubtedly in the new field. CHONE No use! He won't show anything! I won't permit him to! But if you desire him to show it — then I will have to be made grave-digger again. [General hearty laughter.} A VOICE The stupid fellow! As if he will need to be grave-digger with his share of the treasure! THE PRESIDENT So you give up your claim to a share in the treasure and want to be grave-digger again in- stead? 176 THE TREASURE [Act IV CHONE Give up my claim ? The whole treasure is mine. You will get a share in it. THE PRESIDENT Are you drunk or what? A VOICE What a question! He can hardly stand on his legs! CHONE You needn't worry about my condition. I know very well what I'm saying. THE PRESIDENT All that you will accomplish is that you won't even get your share. CHONE Is that what you think .>* We shall see! Go ahead and hunt the treasure. He won't show you where it is. THE PRESIDENT [To JUDKE.] Don't listen to your father; he's drunk now! Tell me! I am the president of the congregation. CHONE He won't tell you; you may depend upon it. TILLE You are a pious man and a decent one! Teach- ing the boy not to heed his father. Act IVJ THE TREASURE 177 A VOICE Let him be made grave-digger again and let his son show us the place so that the whole affair may end! Why should we be standing around here? And pretend to be crazy in addition ! A SECOND VOICE What will we get out of it if his son shows us? I'd rather go looking myself, THE PRESIDENT That's what you should all have done ! TILLE And of course you will find it at once, if you hunt for it. A VOICE All the people in the city are looking and can't find it. SECOND VOICE For a year we may be looking and not find it. VOICES Let him be grave-digger again ! Let him be grave-digger ! SOSKIN [To THE PRESIDENT.] What objection have you? Let him be grave-digger. CHONE For fourteen years I was grave-digger. I did my work faithfully ; no one has an evil word to say 178 THE TREASURE [Act IV of me. The whole town is assembled here. Let any one speak up and say any evil of me that he knows ! VOICES It's a fact ! He's right ! What do they want of him? CHONE And am I suddenly to be kicked out after four- teen years ? I want to be grave-digger again. I want to be grave-digger as long as I myself want to be. VOICES Surely ! Let him be grave-digger again ! Let him be ! THE PRESIDENT [To THE CROWD.] Who is asking your opinion? All you have to do is stand there and be silent. VOICES Is that so? That's he all over! He's lord over this city! so SKIN And why not, after all? Let him be grave- digger. THE PRESIDENT And suppose the whole thing is a fraud? We may make him grave-digger again and then dis- cover that his son knows nothing or has not re- membered at all! TILLE That's simply a subterfuge ! Act IVJ THE TREA5URE 179 JUDKE I remember! So sure as I am a Jew I have re- membered! I tell! CHONE Judke, be silent! S08KIN Consider now — if it is a fraud, you can deprive him of his position again! TILLE That's it. What is there to be feared? VOICE If I were Chone I wouldn't let them bargain with me, and the council could have whistled after the treasure! TILLE But you see we happen to be honest people. THE PRESIDENT Very well, then. Let him be grave-digger again. [Го JUDKE.] Now, then, tell us ! CHONE Oho! He's just to tell you now and that's all, eh? THE PRESIDENT What more do you want ? CHONE I want it black on white. 180 THE TREASURE [Act IV THE PRESIDENT Doesn't it satisfy you that I've said it before the whole city? What do you take me for? SOSKIN You mustn't blame him for it. You see how drunk he is, CHONE Whether drunk or not, I know what I want. I want to see it black on white that Chone is to re- main grave-digger as long as he lives or as long as he wants to be. I don't want to be kicked out again the minute it happens to suit some one. I want to give up the job of my own accord or not at all. VOICES He's right! He isn't as drunk as you think! Don't worry, the little man knows what he's about. CHONE I know what I want. My head isn't withered yet. Write as follows: "If Chone's son Judke shows the right place where he has buried his dog, then Chone will be made grave-digger again and will have the position as long as he lives or as long as he himself desires. And if a treasure is found in the grave of the dog, or any amount of money at all, one-half is to belong to Chone and the other half to the congregation." SOSKIN Oh, no, that's ridiculous. You can't sign that. The treasure may be in the new field. Act IV] THE TREASURE 181 CHONE If it is, you may go to law. I'll not remain your debtor, you may be sure. VOICES What does that man Soskin want? Why does he quarrel about a share? The whole world is too little for him. THE PRESIDENT The boldness of this old man is incredible. Now he actually wants half of the treasure. CHONE A full half. And you may well thank me that I'm so kind and am willing to hand over the other half to the congregation THE PRESIDENT And all that I say is — you are a great scamp. CHONE And all that I say is — you're a greater one ! THE PRESIDENT You tell me that to my face? CHONE I'll tell you exactly what you'll tell me. I treat refined people as they deserve, but I won't let you treat me like a pig. A WELL DRESSED MAN [To THE PRESIDENT.] You won't Stand there and quarrel with him, will you? You see that he's drunk ! 182 THE TREASURE [Act IV. CHONE It doesn't matter. Let me be! VOICE He does better than some one who is sober. THE PRESIDENT And I'm to give in to this fellow? I'm to majce a written agreement with him? CHONE Oh, well, as you please. VOICE Well, what is the end to be? You're willing to give in to the crazy man and not to him? What are we to stand here for? THE PRESIDENT Who bids you stand here ? Go rather and hunt ! A VOICE And he imagines that we would turn the treasure over to him for less than half! SECOND VOICE He would be lucky if he got half of it from me. THIRD VOICE It's easy enough for him to say: "Go and hunt ! " What is it to him that one neglects one's affairs and wanders about the graveyard day and night seeking! Act IV] THE TREASURE 183 THE WELL DRESSED MAN [To THE PRESIDENT.] If he wants a signature, give him a signature, so that something real — THE PRESIDENT \_To CHONE.] You'll think of me in good time, I assure you ! CHONE We'll see about that later. [Го the crowd.] Who has paper and a pencil ? A VOICE I ! . . . [A YOUNG MAN makes Jiis way through the crcnvd.^ I have paper and pencil. CHONE Can you write? YOUNG MAN What a question? Why else should I be carry- ing writing material about with me? [Laughter.^ I happen to be a scrivener — a writing-teacher. CHONE All the better. \^He clears a space on the table. Lanterns are placed in position and a chair drawn up.^ Wait — how did I put it? " If the son of Chone the grave-digger, the son of Reb Juda, shows the right place where he has buried his dog Schutschke, then the aforesaid Chone, son of Reb Juda and grave-digger to this congregation, shall be reinstated as grave-digger upon the God's acre of this congregation and remain in office so long as he lives or so long as he himself may desire. And 184 THE TREASURE [Act IV if, in that place where the dog is buried, money or valuables be found, the half shall belong to the aforesaid Chone, son of Reb Juda and grave- digger, and the other half to our beloved congrega- tion." Have you got that ? YOUNG MAN I have written it. CHONE [Takes the paper, puts on his spectacles, reads it through. Then to the president.] Now sign it. THE PRESIDENT This is the first time in my life that a thing like this happens to me. [He reads the document through and signs it.^ VOICE The old man is an able fellow ! We didn't really know him. CHONE I'm this way — if nobody touches me, I touch nobody either, but if . . . [He takes the paper and reads the signature.l Chaim, son of Reb Mordche Sackheim, President of the Congregation. SOSKIN And I tell you for the last time — you'll have some trouble with me before all is over. A VOICE There he is again ! Keeps turning up ! Act IV] THE TREASURE 185 \_Folds the document and puts it into his pocket.^ Go, Judke, and show them now ! JUDKE Нее, hee, hee ! [Rushes along the main path to the second side-path up which he runs.^ [the crowd bursts out in loud applause and runs after him shouting and laughing.^ TILLE That was good. Now quickly for the treasure! [^Runs after the crowd.] CHONE [^Begins to run, then bethinks himself and re- mains standing.] Jachne-Braine, put our things back into the house! I'll run to the treasure! \^He hurries away.] JACHNE-BRAINE [Rises from the sofa.] Oh, oh, oh ! What is it that God has visited upon us ! Oh, oh . . . [She picks up some articles of clothing and carries them into the house.] VOICES He buried his dog in the grave of the holy Rabbi ! On the grave of a saint ! Woe ! On the grave of a holy man ! Oh, the crazy scoundrel ! JACHNE-BRAINE [Comes from the house and shakes her head.] Oh, that he may be ... ! 186 THE TREASURE [Act IV VOICES [Drawing nearer.'] He probably wanted his dog to go to Paradise ! OTHER VOICES The little board ! And there's the dog, too, hap- pily! And how about the money? the treasure? JACHNE-BRAINE [Carrying a heap of bedding.] Oh, my legs are giving way under me! [She sinks down on the sofa.] VOICE That's for burying the dog in the grave of a holy man ! And that for burying him at all ! And that for all your crazy doings ! JUDKE [Comes running with the dead dog in his arm and cries hoarsely.] Leave me alone! Leave me alone! [He disappears through the gate.] JACHNE-BRAINE [Worn out.] Serves him right! Serves him right ! VOICES How many Imperials ? — Four ? — What ? Four ? JACHNE-BRAINE [Groans desperately.] Oh! VOICES No more ? — And that's the whole treasure ? — A fine treasure ! — A very fine treasure ! — They Act IV] THE TREASURE 187 ought to dig deeper ! Maybe there's more ! — And for that they dig up the grave of the holy [jACHNE-BRAiNE bursts out into loud, hysterical wailing as at a funeral.^ ' VOICES They're digging up another corner ! Oh, oh, on the grave of the holy man ! — And they're not ashamed ! They have no fear of God ! — They're digging only at the corners ! — Nothing ! — Like the day that is gone ! — They can look long ! — Only the four Imperials. [The crowd gradually melts away.'\ VOICES [Of the receding members of the crowd amid the trees.'\ A treasure ! — There you liave this famous treasure ! — Lost a whole night for nothing, nothing ! — And they've dug up the grave of the holy man ! — Oh, oh ! — How could any one bear to do such a thing! [/i group of the people who are leaving emerges from among the trees.] THE FIRST What won't people do for the sake of money ! THE SECOND And whose money ? Who would have had any good of it? THE FIRST The city. 188 THE TREASURE [Act IV THE SECOND The city! A fat lot the city would have had with Chaim Sackheim within reach of the money. THE THIRD And even if the city had gotten money, how would it have profited us? [They disappear.^ ANOTHER \In a second group.] How could it have oc- curred to the crazy fellow to bury his dog? A SECOND MAN [From the same group.] For that trick alone Chone ought to be deprived of his office. A WOMAN How can he help having a crazy son? [Disap- pears.] A MAN [From a third group.] If one had found some- thing in a different corner, Chone would have no right to demand a share at all, because that in itself — [He disappears. Yet another group is seen containing the president and soskin.] THE PRESIDENT Law or no law, you wouldn't have received a kopek ! so SKIN And I tell you that I — [They disappear.] [A sound of laughter approaches. The people, who are leaving the graveyard in small and large Act IV] THE TREASURE 189 groups by the several paths, are shaking with laughter and repeat with variations :'\ A treasure ! — There you have your treasure ; — Four Imperials are a treasure, and all the goings- on! — A treasure ! — A remarkable treasure ! — And the way they let themselves be made crazy ! — Did one ever hear of the like of such a treasure ! — A capable girl, that Tille ! — A girl in a thousand ! — She deserves a husband! — If she had a dowry I'd take her on the spot! . . . CHONE [Comes from the right, as though he had stolen away from, somewhere and approaches the weeping jACHNE-BRAiNE.] A treasure, eh? A great treasure ! Well, at least . . . the whole business hasn't cost us anything. . . . I've remained grave- digger. So what are you howling for? Enough of that ! Come, let us carry our things back in. [He gathers various objects, humming to himself.^ JACHNE-BRAINE [Tearfullyl But if it was so near, and maybe we could have . . . CHONE Go ! Don't be so stupid, and keep still. All the things she must weep about [tille comes, laughing heartily.'] JACHNE-BRAINE [Still weeping.'] She laughs! Oh, that I could pour out my bitter heart over you ! She laughs. You'll not be able to show your face in the street again, and you laugh ! 190 THE TREASURE [Act ly TILLE [Laughing.'] What? I may not show myself in the street? What have I to be ashamed of? Let them be ashamed! I surely got the better of them all. . . . On the contrary, I'll walk along the street proudly and hold up my head. . . . For one day at least I was a millionaire lady. And . . . and I have some money in the bank too . . . CHONE and JACHNE-BEAINE [At the same time.'] What? TILLE You heard me. It's not a great deal, to be sure, but enough to catch a man with ... a very mod- est one and perhaps not so very modest after all. I'm such a celebrity in the town now and I have such a fine trousseau . . . CHONE [Enthusiastically.] Jachne-Braine ! Jachne- Braine ! JACHNE-BRAINE Why didn't you tell us that before? Oh! . . . CHONE Oh, I must take a drink to celebrate that ! Let's go in! [To TILLE.] Oh, you! . . . The things that you . . . Well . . . You deserve to have your ears boxed anyhow. TILLE [Holds up her face to him.] Here! Act IV] THE TREASURE 191 [cHONE bursts out into a mighty shout of laughter. They all go into the house.^ [Jn the windows of the grave-digger's house ap- pears the dim glow of a lighted candle. Through the closed windows the voices can be but faintly heard. The laughter dies in the distance. Silence reigTis.} THE DEAD [In shrouds and praying shawls appear singly and in groups amid the graves. They whisper and breathe their words.^ Swiftly into the syna- gogue ! . . . Hasten ! . . . The hour of midnight is long past. . . . Hasten. . . , [They hasten to the gate. One sees only their silhouettes in the dim light of the veiled moon.^ I thought we would not come out to-day at all. The dead fear the breath of the living. We fear them more than they do us. There is no peace betwixt life and death. . . . No peace ... no peace . . . Indeed life vexed me grievously to-day. Vexed is not the word. I lived in their life so really that I shuddered and feared. Shuddered with fear or with longing? Did you feel a yearning for your money? [Ghostly laughter shakes the rows of the dead.] 192 THE TREASURE [Act IV The distinguished and the wealthy must surely have had a bad day. It fairly smelled of money and they had to lie with the worms. It almost threw them out of their graves. MANY Money . . . money . . . money . . . [Ghostly laughter.^ But you poor devils hadn't a much better time either. It smelled of money and you couldn't even beg. \_Laughter.'] It is high time for all of you to be forgetting life. . . . Come quickly into the synagogue. . . . [Many of the dead vanish.'} It gave me a really exalted feeling to see how little fear of us they felt. Don't flatter yourself. We would have been no better. We were no better either. MANY [At the same time."] Money . . . money . . . money . . . OTHERS And that is life . . . that is life . . . that is life . . . It exalted me in my grave too. So many women walked about here to-day. Young ones and pretty ones, I wager. . . . [Laughter.} -Act IV] THE TREASURE 193 Who speaks thus? Who opens his mouth to speak such ugly words? It's the petty field surgeon who lies buried by the wall. THE PIOUS RABBI [In passing. His praying shatcl hangs but loosely over his left shoulder.] They have dug up my whole grave. . . . They have dug away my right arm. Woe, how shall I now put on my pray- ing shawl? How shall I appear before God? [To a group.] Will not some one help me put on my praying shawl? [They surround and help him. They show signs of deep feeling at the sight of the missing arm. Murmurs of astonishment and com- passion.] MANY Woe . . . woe . . . woe . . . OTHERS Money . . . money . . . money . . . THE RABBI Now will I go and appear before God. . . . Now I will ask him . . . [He vanishes through the gate.] He will get no answer ... he will get no an- swer. ONE OP THE DEAD [With feeling.] They who are in life still stand at the same point. Generation dies after generation and all remains as it has been. As it was afore- time, so it was in my time and so it is to-day. 194 THE TREASURE [Act IV MANY Money . . . money . . . money . . . And yet it must lead to something. Surely there must be a goal. Only God knows that . . . And man must learn what it is. That will be his greatest victory. Man's greatest victory. SEVERAL Man's . . . OTHERS The living one's . . . And we? [A ghostly breathing of laughter and sighing.l THE FIRST ' Man's greatest victory . . . CURTAIN Ч^^Г 000 970 825