The Melting-Pot

BARONESS

Yes, and the most beautiful ballets-Russia is affrightfully misunderstood.

[She sweeps away in burning indignation. PAPPELMEISTER murmurs

in deprecation. Re-enter VERA from the hall. She is gay and

happy.]

VERA

He is coming round at once--

[She utters a cry of pleased surprise.] Herr Pappelmeister! This is indeed a pleasure!

[She gives PAPPELMEISTER her hand, which he kisses.]

BARONESS [Sotto voce to the BARON]

Let us go before he comes.

[The BARON ignores her, his eyes hungrily on VERA.]

PAPPELMEISTER [To VERA]

But I come again-you have visitors.

VERA [Smiling]

Only my father and--

PAPPELMEISTER [Surprised]

Your fader? Ach so!

[He taps his forehead.] Revendal!

BARONESS [Sotto voce to the BARON]

I vill not meet a Jew, I tell you.

PAPPELMEISTER

But you vill vant to talk to your fader, and all I vant is Mr. Quixano's address. De Irish maiden at de house says de bird is flown.

VERA [Gravely]

I don't know if I ought to tell you where the new nest is--

PAPPELMEISTER [Disappointed]

Ach!

VERA [Smiling]

But I will produce the bird.

PAPPELMEISTER [Looks round]

You vill broduce Mr. Quixano?

VERA [Merrily]

By clapping my hands.

[Mysteriously] I am a magician.

BARON [Whose eyes have been glued on VERA]

You are, indeed! I don't know how you have bewitched me.

[The BARONESS glares at him.]

VERA

Dear little father!

[She crosses to him and strokes his hair.] Herr Pappelmeister, tell father about Mr. Quixano's music.

PAPPELMEISTER [Shaking his head]

Music cannot be talked about.

VERA [Smiling]

That's a nasty one for the critics. But tell father what a genius Da-Mr. Quixano is.

BARONESS [Desperately intervening]

Good-bye, Vera.

[She thrusts out her hand, which VERA takes.] I have a headache. You muz excuse me. Herr Pappelmeister, au plaisir de vous revoir.

[PAPPELMEISTER hastens to the door, which he holds open. The

BARONESS turns and glares at the BARON.]

BARON [Agitated]

Let me see you to the auto--

BARONESS

You could see me to ze hotel almost as quick.

BARON [To VERA]

I won't say good-bye, Verotschka-I shall be back.

[He goes toward the hall, then turns.] You will keep your Rubinstein waiting?

[VERA smiles lovingly.]

BARONESS

You are keeping me vaiting.

[He turns quickly. Exeunt BARON and BARONESS.]

PAPPELMEISTER

And now broduce Mr. Quixano!

VERA

Not so fast. What are you going to do with him?

PAPPELMEISTER

Put him in my orchestra!

VERA [Ecstatic]

Oh, you dear!

[Then her tone changes to disappointment.] But he won't go into Mr. Davenport's orchestra.

PAPPELMEISTER

It is no more Mr. Davenport's orchestra. He fired me, don't you remember? Now I boss-how say you in American?

VERA [Smiling]

Your own show.

PAPPELMEISTER

Ja, my own band. Ven I left dat comic opera millionaire, dey all shtick to me almost to von man.

VERA

How nice of them!

PAPPELMEISTER

All egsept de Christian-he vas de von man. He shtick to de millionaire. So I lose my brincipal first violin.

VERA

And Mr. Quixano is to-oh, how delightful!

[She claps her hands girlishly.]

PAPPELMEISTER [Looks round mischievously]

Ach, de magic failed.

VERA [Puzzled]

Eh!

PAPPELMEISTER

You do not broduce him. You clap de hands-but you do not broduce him. Ha! Ha! Ha!

[He breaks into a great roar of genial laughter.]

VERA [Chiming in merrily]

Ha! Ha! Ha! But I said I have to know everything first. Will he get a good salary?

PAPPELMEISTER