The Melting-Pot

I fell a victim to my love of music.

VERA [Murmurs, smiling]

Music!

QUINCY

And I hadn't yet met the right breed-the true blue blood of Europe. I'll get a divorce.

[Approaching her] Vera!

VERA [Retreating]

You will make me sorry I came to you.

QUINCY

No, don't say that-promised the Baron I'd always do all I could for--

VERA

You promised? You dared discuss my affairs?

QUINCY

It was your father began it. When he found I knew you, he almost wept with emotion. He asked a hundred questions about your life in America.

VERA

His life and mine are for ever separate. He is a Reactionary, I a Radical.

QUINCY

But he loves you dreadfully-he can't understand why you should go slaving away summer and winter in a Settlement-you a member of the Russian nobility!

VERA [With faint smile]

I might say, noblesse oblige. But the truth is, I earn my living that way. It would do you good to slave there too!

QUINCY [Eagerly]

Would they chain us together? I'd come to-morrow.

[He moves nearer her. There is a double knock at the door. ]

VERA [Relieved]

Here's Pappelmeister!

QUINCY

Bother Poppy-why is he so darned punctual?

[Enter KATHLEEN from the kitchen.]

VERA [Smiling]

Ah, you're still here.

KATHLEEN

And why would I not be here?

[She goes to open the door.]

PAPPELMEISTER

Mr. Quixano?

KATHLEEN

Yes, come in.

[Enter HERR PAPPELMEISTER, a burly German figure with a leonine

head, spectacles, and a mane of white hair-a figure that makes

his employer look even coarser. He carries an umbrella, which he

never lets go. He is at first grave and silent, which makes any

burst of emotion the more striking. He and QUINCY DAVENPORT

suggest a picture of 'Dignity and Impudence.' His English, as

roughly indicated in the text, is extremely Teutonic.]

QUINCY

You're late, Poppy!

[PAPPELMEISTER silently bows to VERA.]

VERA [Smilingly goes and offers her hand.]

Proud to meet you, Herr Pappelmeister!

QUINCY

Excuse me--

[Introducing] Miss Revendal!-I forgot you and Poppy hadn't been introduced-curiously enough it was at Wiesbaden I picked him up too-he was conducting the opera-your folks were in my box. I don't think I ever met anyone so mad on music as the Baron. And the Baroness told me he had retired from active service in the Army because of the torture of listening to the average military band. Ha! Ha! Ha!

VERA

Yes, my father once hoped my music would comfort him.

[She smiles sadly.] Poor father! But a soldier must bear defeat. Herr Pappelmeister, may I not give you some tea?

[She sits again at the table.]

QUINCY

Tea! Lager's more in Poppy's line.

[He chuckles.]

PAPPELMEISTER [Gravely]

Bitte. Tea.

[She pours out, he sits.] Lemon. Four lumps.... Nun, five!... Or six!

[She hands him the cup.] Danke.

[As he receives the cup, he utters an exclamation, for KATHLEEN

after opening the door has lingered on, hunting around

everywhere, and having finally crawled under the table has now

brushed against his leg.]

VERA

What are you looking for?

KATHLEEN [Her head emerging]

My nose!

[They are all startled and amused.]

VERA

Your nose?

KATHLEEN

I forgot me nose!

QUINCY

Well, follow your nose-and you'll find it. Ha! Ha! Ha!

KATHLEEN [Pouncing on it]

Here it is!

[Picks it up near the armchair.]

OMNES

Oh!

KATHLEEN

Sure, it's gotten all dirthy.

[She takes out a handkerchief and wipes the nose carefully. ]

QUINCY

But why do you want a nose like that?

KATHLEEN [Proudly]

Bekaz we're Hebrews!

QUINCY