during their voyages, they meet another pair of merrymakers, the father-and-son duo isaac and ephraim kalamutker, with whom they form a quartet and roam through the polish countryside seeking engagements. "yidl" falls in love with ephraim, who is utterly oblivious to the true sex of his companion. the four are hired to perform in the wedding of young teibele to the old, rich man zalman gold. the bride had to cancel her prior engagement with her true love, yosl fedlman, for her late father left many unpaid debts. yidl takes pity on teibele and the quartet smuggle her out of the party and have her join them as vocalist. to yidl's dismay, ephraim is enamored with the young woman. itke reveals her true self to isaac, who determines to assist her and leaves to locate yosl.