The Melting-Pot

Verotschka! My dearest darling!...

[He makes a movement toward her, but is checked by her

irresponsiveness.] Why, you've grown more beautiful than ever.

VERA

You in New York!

BARON

The Baroness wished to see America. Katusha, this is my daughter.

BARONESS [In sugared sweetness]

And mine, too, if she vill let me love her.

VERA [Bowing coldly, but still addressing her father]

But how? When?

BARON

We have just come and--

BARONESS [Dashing in]

Zat charming young man lent us his yacht-he is adoràhble.

VERA

What charming young man?

BARONESS

Ah, she has many, ze little coquette-ha! ha! ha!

[She touches VERA playfully with her parasol.]

BARON

We wished to give you a pleasant surprise.

VERA

It is certainly a surprise.

BARON [Chilled]

You are not very ... daughterly.

VERA

Do you remember when you last saw me? You did not claim me as a daughter then.

BARON [Covers his eyes with his hand]

Do not recall it; it hurts too much.

VERA

I was in the dock.

BARON

It was horrible. I hated you for the devil of rebellion that had entered into your soul. But I thanked God when you escaped.

VERA [Softened]

I think I was more sorry for you than for myself. I hope, at least, no suspicion fell on you.

BARONESS [Eagerly]

But it did-an avalanche of suspicion. He is still buried under it. Vy else did they make Skovaloff Ambassador instead of him? Even now he risks everyting to see you again. Ah, mon enfant, you owe your fazer a grand reparation!

VERA

What reparation can I possibly make?

BARON [Passionately]

You can love me again, Vera.

BARONESS [Stamping foot]

Alexis, you are interrupting--

VERA

I fear, father, we have grown too estranged-our ideas are so opposite--

BARON

But not now, Vera, surely not now? You are no longer

[He lowers his voice and looks around] a Revolutionist?

VERA

Not with bombs, perhaps. I thank Heaven I was caught before I had done any practical work. But if you think I accept the order of things, you are mistaken. In Russia I fought against the autocracy--

BARON

Hush! Hush!

[He looks round nervously.]

VERA

Here I fight against the poverty. No, father, a woman who has once heard the call will always be a wild creature.

BARON

But

[Lowering his voice] those revolutionary Russian clubs here-you are not a member?

VERA

I do not believe in Revolutions carried on at a safe distance. I have found my life-work in America.

BARON

I am enchanted, Vera, enchanted.

BARONESS [Gushingly]

Permit me to kiss you, belle enfant.

VERA

I do not know you enough yet; I will kiss my father.

BARON [With a great cry of joy]

Vera!

[He embraces her passionately.] At last! At last! I have found my little Vera again!

VERA

No, father, your Vera belongs to Russia with her mother and the happy days of childhood. But for their sakes--

[She breaks down in emotion.]

BARON

Ah, your poor mother!

BARONESS [Tartly]

Alexis, I perceive I am too many!

[She begins to go toward the door.]

BARON

No, no, Katusha. Vera will learn to love you, too.

VERA [To BARONESS]

What does my loving you matter? I can never return to Russia.

BARONESS [Pausing]

But ve can come here-often-ven you are married.

VERA [Surprised]

When I am married?

[Softly, blushing] You know?

BARONESS [Smiling]

Ve know zat charming young man adores ze floor your foot treads on!

VERA [Blushing]