The Melting-Pot

[Aloud again] You seem to think everybody Jewish. Are you sure Mr. Quixano is not Spanish?-the name sounds Spanish.

KATHLEEN

Shpanish!

[She picks up the old Hebrew book on the armchair.] Look at the ould lady's book. Is that Shpanish?

[She points to the Mizrach.] And that houly picture the ould lady says her pater- noster to! Is that Shpanish? And that houly table-cloth with the houly silver candle--

[Cry of sudden astonishment] Why, I've ounly put--

[She looks toward mantel and utters a great cry of alarm as she

drops the Hebrew book on the floor.] Why, where's the other candleshtick! Mother in hivin, they'll say I shtole the candleshtick!

[Perceiving that VERA is dazedly moving toward door] Beggin' your pardon, miss--

[She is about to move a chair toward the desk.]

VERA

Thank you, I've changed my mind.

KATHLEEN

That's more than I'll do.

VERA [Hand on door]

Don't say I called at all.

KATHLEEN

Plaze yerself. What name did ye say?

[MENDEL enters hastily from his bedroom, completely

transmogrified, minus the skull-cap, with a Prince Albert coat,

and boots instead of slippers, so that his appearance is

gentlemanly. KATHLEEN begins to search quietly and

unostentatiously in the table-drawers, the chiffonier, etc.,

etc., for the candlestick.

MENDEL

I am sorry if I have kept you waiting--

[He rubs his hands importantly.] You see I have so many pupils already. Won't you sit down?

[He indicates a chair.]

VERA [Flushing, embarrassed, releasing her hold of the door handle]

Thank you-I-I-I didn't come about pianoforte lessons.

MENDEL [Sighing in disappointment]

Ach!

VERA

In fact I-er-it wasn't you I wanted at all-I was just going.

MENDEL [Politely]

Perhaps I can direct you to the house you are looking for.

VERA

Thank you, I won't trouble you.

[She turns toward the door again.]

MENDEL

Allow me!

[He opens the door for her.]

VERA [Hesitating, struck by his manners, struggling with her

anti-Jewish prejudice] It-it-was your son I wanted.

MENDEL [His face lighting up]

You mean my nephew, David. Yes, he gives violin lessons.

[He closes the door.]

VERA

Oh, is he your nephew?

MENDEL

I am sorry he is out-he, too, has so many pupils, though at the moment he is only at the Crippled Children's Home-playing to them.

VERA

How lovely of him!

[Touched and deciding to conquer her prejudice] But that's just what I came about-I mean we'd like him to play again at our Settlement. Please ask him why he hasn't answered Miss Andrews's letter.

MENDEL [Astonished]

He hasn't answered your letter?

VERA

Oh, I'm not Miss Andrews; I'm only her assistant.

MENDEL

I see-Kathleen, whatever are you doing under the table?

[KATHLEEN, in her hunting around for the candlestick, is now

stooping and lifting up the table-cloth.]

KATHLEEN

Sure the fiend's after witching away the candleshtick.

MENDEL [Embarrassed]

The candlestick? Oh-I-I think you'll find it in my bedroom.

KATHLEEN

Wisha, now!

[She goes into his bedroom.]

MENDEL [Turning apologetically to VERA]

I beg your pardon, Miss Andrews, I mean Miss-er--

VERA

Revendal.

MENDEL [Slightly more interested]

Revendal? Then you must be the Miss Revendal David told me about!

VERA [Blushing]

Why, he has only seen me once-the time he played at our Roof-Garden Concert.

MENDEL

Yes, but he was so impressed by the way you handled those new immigrants-the Spirit of the Settlement, he called you.

VERA [Modestly]

Ah, no-Miss Andrews is that. And you will tell him to answer her letter at once, won't you, because there's only a week now to our Concert.

[A gust of wind shakes the windows. She smiles.] Naturally it will not be on the Roof Garden.

MENDEL [Half to himself]

Fancy David not saying a word about it to me! Are you sure the letter was mailed?