Set after singing Tradition, Matchmaker, Richman and Sabbath Prayer...
Tzeitel and Hodel are clearing the table as Perchiek wanders in.
"Tzeitel and Hodel." He queries, waving his hand at each in turn.
"Can we help you Perchiek?" Teitel asks, while Hodel essentially ignores him.
"I want to ask you about your lessons."
"It's rather late for lessons." Hodel snaps.
"It's never too late for lessons on the Sabbath!" He replies.
"Perchiek, we're the oldest, we haven't the time for lessons." Tzeitel informs him as she carries on tidying with Hodel.
"Alright, let us just establish where you stand with previous lessons. Like reading – do you read?"
"We haven't got the time to." Hodel scoffs. "Have you worked a day in your life, Perchiek?"
"Of course, why would you suggest that?"
"Well all that time spent in university won't have been spent learning about being a good husband."
"Is that all you think about?"
"Hodel, I'm going to take the dishes to be washed," Tzeitel interrupts before Hodel can get herself into trouble. She leans in to her sister, "Be pleasant."
Perchiek moves to help Hodel clear the candles and cloths. Silence reins for a few minutes.
"So you believe in marriage?" Perchiek begins.
"Of course."
"What else do you believe in?"
"I believe an educated man like yourself shouldn't be wandering so far from the city for scraps of food from a poor milkman and his family. If you're so intelligent, why are you not already making your own living?"
"I have an important job to do first."
"What's more important than supporting yourself; than supporting a family?"
"Saving their lives."
"From what?"
"From persecution, and injustice."
"So you've come to Anatevka to do that? I assure you, we are free from persecution and injustice here."
"But for how long? The outside world has already touched Annatevka, look at how many of the Tsar's men live here."
"You're hardly saving anyone's life here, Perchiek."
Tevye comes in, looking displeased. "Perchiek," he barks, "What are you doing here?"
"Discussing lessons, reb Tevye." He answers, moving farther from Hodel.
"I see. You can do this tomorrow, when Hodel is with her sisters. Come, I will show you where you will sleep."
Tevye takes Perchiek aside, "Perchiek, here we don't have men and girls left alone; it is disrespectful."
"Why, reb Tevye?"
He pauses, "It is tradition. We honour our traditions here Percheik. They are our way of life and have kept it peaceful for many years." They step back from each other, "Now come Perchiek. Good Sabbath daughter."
"Good Sabbath Papa."
"Good Sabbath Hodel."
"Good Sabbath." She replies, ice in her tone.
"He is intolerable!" Hodel barks as the sisters enter their bedroom.
"He isn't that bad." Tzeitel comments.
"He is awful." Hodel insists.
"He seems to like you." Chava adds playfully.
"Why on earth would you think that?"
"He kept talking to you and asking you questions."
"He argued with me! That has no affection or sign of liking a person at all!"
"In my books, sometimes it does."
"And your books are the work of the imagination. They are foolish lies!"
"Hodel!" Tzeitel scolds.
"I'm sorry Chava."
"That's alright." Chava replies sheepishly.
"He is hansom though." Tzeitel adds.
"I'm surprised you can see past Motel!" Chava chirps.
"Why hasn't Motel proposed to you yet? It'll be too late soon!" Hodel adds.
"Motel and I are just friends."
"Good friends." Hodel adds, "very good friends."
"Don't be disrespectful, Hodel."
"You're not mamma, Tzeitel."
"Well that's what she would say – and you should heed to her request! Especially around Perchiek, I can't keep interrupting you; I'm running out of spontaneous sentences."
"Then don't interrupt."
"Ha! Do you want mamma and papa to lock you up here? How are they ever going to marry you when you can't keep your mouth closed?"
"Who said my match has a say in the matter? It's Yente and papa who decide."
"Whoever he is, he is a poor soul."
"At this rate he is safe; you'll never get married."
"Hodel!" Tzeitel and Chava scold.
"Well Motel isn't doing anything about his affections for you, and mama still calls you a child!"
"Go to sleep!" Golde calls.
"Yes mamma." They chime. The lights go out.
"Hodel and Perchiek..." Chava sings. She and Tzeitel laugh. Hodel growls.