The Melting-Pot

DAVID

These countries were not in the making. They were old civilisations stamped with the seal of creed. In such countries the Jew may be right to stand out. But here in this new secular Republic we must look forward--

MENDEL [Passionately interrupting]

We must look backwards, too.

DAVID [Hysterically]

To what? To Kishineff?

[As if seeing his vision] To that butcher's face directing the slaughter? To those--?

MENDEL [Alarmed]

Hush! Calm yourself!

DAVID [Struggling with himself]

Yes, I will calm myself-but how else shall I calm myself save by forgetting all that nightmare of religions and races, save by holding out my hands with prayer and music toward the Republic of Man and the Kingdom of God! The Past I cannot mend-its evil outlines are stamped in immortal rigidity. Take away the hope that I can mend the Future, and you make me mad.

MENDEL

You are mad already-your dreams are mad-the Jew is hated here as everywhere-you are false to your race.

DAVID

I keep faith with America. I have faith America will keep faith with us.

[He raises his hands in religious rapture toward the flag over

the door.] Flag of our great Republic, guardian of our homes, whose stars and--

MENDEL

Spare me that rigmarole. Go out and marry your Gentile and be happy.

DAVID

You turn me out?

MENDEL

Would you stay and break my mother's heart? You know she would mourn for you with the rending of garments and the seven days' sitting on the floor. Go! You have cast off the God of our fathers!

DAVID [Thundrously]

And the God of our children-does He demand no service?

[Quieter, coming toward his uncle and touching him

affectionately on the shoulder.] You are right-I do need a wider world.

[Expands his lungs.] I must go away.

MENDEL

Go, then-I'll hide the truth-she must never suspect-lest she mourn you as dead.

FRAU QUIXANO [Outside, in the kitchen]

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

[Both men turn toward the kitchen and listen.]

KATHLEEN

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

FRAU QUIXANO AND KATHLEEN

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

MENDEL [Bitterly]

A merry Purim!

[The kitchen door opens and remains ajar. FRAU QUIXANO rushes

in, carrying DAVID'S violin and bow. KATHLEEN looks in,

grinning.]

FRAU QUIXANO [Hilariously]

Nu spiel noch! spiel!

[She holds the violin and bow appealingly toward DAVID. ]

MENDEL [Putting out a protesting hand]

No, no, David-I couldn't bear it.

DAVID

But I must! You said she mustn't suspect.

[He looks lovingly at her as he loudly utters these words, which

are unintelligible to her.] And it may be the last time I shall ever play for her.

[Changing to a mock merry smile as he takes the violin and bow

from her] Gewiss, Granny!

[He starts the same old Slavic dance.]

FRAU QUIXANO [Childishly pleased]

He! He! He!

[She claps on a false grotesque nose from her pocket.]

DAVID [Torn between laughter and tears]

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

MENDEL [Shocked]

Mutter!

FRAU QUIXANO

Un' du auch!

[She claps another false nose on MENDEL, laughing in childish

glee at the effect. Then she starts dancing to the music, and

KATHLEEN slips in and joyously dances beside her.]

DAVID [Joining tearfully in the laughter]

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

[The curtain falls quickly. It rises again upon the picture of

FRAU QUIXANO fallen back into a chair, exhausted with laughter,

fanning herself with her apron, while KATHLEEN has dropped

breathless across the arm of the armchair; DAVID is still

playing on, and MENDEL, his false nose torn off, stands by,

glowering. The curtain falls again and rises upon a final tableau

of DAVID in his cloak and hat, stealing out of the door with his

violin, casting a sad farewell glance at the old woman and at the

home which has sheltered him.]

Act III

April, about a month later. The scene changes to MISS REVENDAL'S

sitting-room at the Settlement House on a sunny day. Simple,

pretty furniture: a sofa, chairs, small table, etc. An open piano

with music. Flowers and books about. Fine art reproductions on

walls. The fireplace is on the left. A door on the left leads to

the hall, and a door on the right to the interior. A servant

enters from the left, ushering in BARON and BARONESS REVENDAL and

QUINCY DAVENPORT. The BARON is a tall, stern, grizzled man of

military bearing, with a narrow, fanatical forehead and martinet

manners, but otherwise of honest and distinguished appearance,

with a short, well-trimmed white beard and well-cut European

clothes. Although his dignity is diminished by the constant