[Goes to sideboard]. I’ve opened already a thousand letters in my life. [Takes letters, looks at them.] No—that’s from the gas company.... This must be from Jakie. [Opens it quickly.] You think I should open it?—Well, all right. [He begins reading, mumbling to himself. Sara sits at table, Yudelson standing.]
Sara
If it’s bad news I don’t want to hear it. [Pause.] It’s bad news?
Yudelson
[To himself, painstakingly]. “Chicago, August 2nd. My dear mother: I am well and hope to hear the same from you.” [To Sara.] He says he is well, and give God to hear the same from you! [Mumbles to himself again.] “I am coming to New York.” [To Sara.] He says he is coming to New York. [To himself.] “On the fourteenth.” [To Sara.] On the fourteenth he’ll be here.
Sara
[Gets up excitedly and takes letter from Yudelson]. The fourteenth?—That’s today! Nu, what else? [Eagerly, with trembling hands she gives him back the letter.]
Yudelson
[Sits at table]. “My dear Mother—” No, I read this already. “I am earning a great deal of money.” [To Sara.] He says he is making plenty money. [Mumbles.] “And I am getting a fine position.” [To Sara.] He says he is getting a good job.