合Intensive StudyThe Washwomanby Isaac Bashevis Singer1 She was a small woman, old and wrinkled. When shestarted washing for us, she was already past seventy. MostJewish women of her age were sickly and weak. All the oldwomen in our street had bent backs and leaned on stickswhen they walked. But this washwoman, small and thin as shewas, possessed a strength that came from generations ofpeasant forebears. Mother would count out to her a bundle oflaundry that had accumulated over several weeks.She wouldthen lift the bundle, put it on her narrow shoulders, and carryit the long way home.V
Intensive Study The Washwoman by Isaac Bashevis Singer 1 She was a small woman, old and wrinkled. When she started washing for us, she was already past seventy. Most Jewish women of her age were sickly and weak. All the old women in our street had bent backs and leaned on sticks when they walked. But this washwoman, small and thin as she was, possessed a strength that came from generations of peasant forebears. Mother would count out to her a bundle of laundry that had accumulated over several weeks. She would then lift the bundle, put it on her narrow shoulders, and carry it the long way home
合IntensiveStudyShe would bring the laundry back about two weeks later.Mymotherhad never been so pleased with any washwoman.Yet she charged no more than the others. She was a real findMother always had her money ready, because it was too farforthe old woman to comea second time
Intensive Study 2 She would bring the laundry back about two weeks later. My mother had never been so pleased with any washwoman. Yet she charged no more than the others. She was a real find. Mother always had her money ready, because it was too far for the old woman to come a second time
合IntensiveStudyLaundering was not easy in those days. The old womanhad no running water where she lived but had to bring in thewater from a pump. And the drying! It could not be doneoutside because thieves would steal the laundry. So it had tobe carried up to the attic and hung on clotheslines.Only Godknows what the old woman had to endure each time she dida wash!
Intensive Study 3 Laundering was not easy in those days. The old woman had no running water where she lived but had to bring in the water from a pump. And the drying! It could not be done outside because thieves would steal the laundry. So it had to be carried up to the attic and hung on clotheslines. Only God knows what the old woman had to endure each time she did a wash!
合IntensiveStudyShe could have begged at the church door or entered :home for the penniless and aged. But there was in her acertain pride and love of labor with which many members ofthe labor force have been blessed. The old woman did notwant to become a burden, and so she bore her burden
Intensive Study 4 She could have begged at the church door or entered a home for the penniless and aged. But there was in her a certain pride and love of labor with which many members of the labor force have been blessed. The old woman did not want to become a burden, and so she bore her burden
合IntensiveStudyThe woman had a son who was rich. He was ashamed ofhis mother, and never came to see her. Nor did he ever giveher money.The old woman told this without bitterness.Whenthe son got married, the wedding took place in a church. Theson had not invited the old mother to his wedding, but shewent to the church anyway and waited at the steps to see hersonleadthebridetothealtar
Intensive Study 5 The woman had a son who was rich. He was ashamed of his mother, and never came to see her. Nor did he ever give her money. The old woman told this without bitterness. When the son got married, the wedding took place in a church. The son had not invited the old mother to his wedding, but she went to the church anyway and waited at the steps to see her son lead the bride to the altar