TATEH (spoken):
Mister, please, where is this?
CONDUCTOR (spoken):
You're in New Rochelle. You can take the rope off her. This ain't the city
LITTLE BOY (spoken):
Mother!
MOTHER (spoken):
I see! I see! He's afraid of losing her. Immigrants are terrified of losing their children. So are we but just not so conspicuously. Don't stare. It's not polite to stare
TATEH (spoken):
He's a rude little boy. Ignore him. People of good breeding do not stare at other people. They acknowledge them politely with a bow - like this
TATEH:
Good day
MOTHER:
Good day, sir
TATEH:
She called me "sir"
Without a doubt
We're really out
Of New York City
MOTHER:
Fine weather, isn't it
TATEH:
Isn't it
Now that we're out of the city
Isn't it
BOTH:
Nothing like the city
LITTLE GIRL (spoken):
He's still staring!
TATEH (spoken):
Never mind
LITTLE BOY:
My father's at the North Pole
With Admiral Peary and Eskimos
Where is your mother?
LITTLE GIRL:
Dead
MOTHER (spoken):
Edgar!
LITTLE BOY:
My name is Edgar
We're off to visit our fireworks factory
What is your name?
LITTLE GIRL:
No name
LITTLE BOY:
That's impossible
Everyone has a name
Even the little Negro baby
Who lives in our attic
MOTHER:
Shh - do not be rude
He talks
LITTLE BOY:
I never knew anyone
Who stayed on a rope
Like a puppy dog
What does it feel like?
TATEH:
I see that
LITTLE GIRL:
Safe
MOTHER:
He also stares
LITTLE BOY:
Safe?
MOTHER:
You'd think he'd never
Seen someone
From New York City
LITTLE GIRL:
Yes
LITTLE BOY:
Everyone's safe
In New Rochelle
TATEH:
That's children
Isn't it
LITTLE GIRL:
Safe?
MOTHER:
Isn't it
LITTLE BOY:
Yes
BOTH:
Always another surprise
Isn't it
CONDUCTOR (spoken):
Boston Post Road trolley! Boston!
MOTHER (spoken):
Well
TATEH (spoken):
Well
TATEH:
Have a pleasant day, ma'am
MOTHER:
Have a pleasant trip, sir
BOTH:
Nothing like the city
CONDUCTOR (spoken):
Mamaroneck! All aboard for Mamaroneck!
LITTLE BOY (spoken):
We know those people
MOTHER (spoken):
That's ridiculous. They're poor foreigners
LITTLE BOY (spoken):
Then we're going to know them
MOTHER (spoken):
Who put such thoughts in your head?