[On the point of collapse. His voice is bitter, sardonic in defeat]. Me a Cantor.... Funny—that’s what it is—funny.... I was just rehearsing with the choir, and they were like strangers to me—the same little boys that I used to play with—and they were strangers to me!... Sure! I’m from uptown—Broadway.... Seemed like every one of them was pointing his finger at me and saying, “Jakie Rabinowitz, jazz singer! Jakie Rabinowitz, jazz singer!”...
Lee
[Very quietly, very tactfully]. We have exactly a half-hour to get to the theatre.
Sara
[Her great moment of sacrifice]. It’s all right, Jakie.... You can go.... [The telephone rings—she crosses to it.] Hello—what?... Who?... I can’t hear you.... What?... It’s a buzzing in my ears—I can’t—
Mary
[Moves over]. Shall I?
Sara
[Giving her the phone]. Thank you.