The Melting-Pot

And why can't I? Ye can keep yer dirthy wages.

[She dumps down the candlestick violently on the table, and exit

hysterically into her bedroom.]

MENDEL [Sighing heavily]

She might have put on the other candlestick.

[He goes to mantel and takes it. A rat-tat-tat at street-door.] Who can that be?

[Running to KATHLEEN'S door, holding candlestick forgetfully

low.] Kathleen! There's a visitor!

KATHLEEN [Angrily from within]

I'm not here!

MENDEL

So long as you're in this house, you must do your work.

[KATHLEEN'S head emerges sulkily.]

KATHLEEN

I tould ye I was lavin' at wanst. Let you open the door yerself.

MENDEL

I'm not dressed to receive visitors-it may be a new pupil.

[He goes toward staircase, automatically carrying off the

candlestick which KATHLEEN has not caught sight of. Exit on the

left.]

KATHLEEN [Moving toward the street-door]

The divil fly away wid me if ivir from this 'our I set foot again among haythen furriners--

[She throws open the door angrily and then the outer door. VERA

REVENDAL, a beautiful girl in furs and muff, with a touch of the

exotic in her appearance, steps into the little vestibule. ]

VERA

Is Mr. Quixano at home?

KATHLEEN [Sulkily]

Which Mr. Quixano?

VERA [Surprised]

Are there two Mr. Quixanos?

KATHLEEN [Tartly]

Didn't I say there was?

VERA

Then I want the one who plays.

KATHLEEN

There isn't a one who plays.

VERA

Oh, surely!

KATHLEEN

Ye're wrong entirely. They both plays.

VERA [Smiling]

Oh, dear! And I suppose they both play the violin.

KATHLEEN

Ye're wrong again. One plays the piano-ounly the young ginthleman plays the fiddle-Mr. David!

VERA [Eagerly]

Ah, Mr. David-that's the one I want to see.

KATHLEEN

He's out.

[She abruptly shuts the door.]

VERA [Stopping its closing]

Don't shut the door!

KATHLEEN [Snappily]

More chanst of seeing him out there than in here!

VERA

But I want to leave a message.

KATHLEEN

Then why don't ye come inside? It's freezin' me to the bone.

[She sneezes.] Atchoo!

VERA

I'm sorry.

[She comes in and closes the door] Will you please say Miss Revendal called from the Settlement, and we are anxiously awaiting his answer to the letter asking him to play for us on--

KATHLEEN

What way will I be tellin' him all that? I'm not here.

VERA

Eh?

KATHLEEN

I'm lavin'-just as soon as I've me thrunk packed.

VERA

Then I must write the message-can I write at this desk?

KATHLEEN

If the ould woman don't come in and shpy you.

VERA

What old woman?

KATHLEEN

Ould Mr. Quixano's mother-she wears a black wig, she's that houly.

VERA [Bewildered]

What?... But why should she mind my writing?

KATHLEEN

Look at the clock.

[VERA looks at the clock, more puzzled than ever.] If ye're not quick, it'll be Shabbos.

VERA

Be what?

KATHLEEN [Holds up hands of horror]

Ye don't know what Shabbos is! A Jewess not know her own Sunday!

VERA [Outraged]

I, a Jewess! How dare you?

KATHLEEN [Flustered]

Axin' your pardon, miss, but ye looked a bit furrin and I--

VERA [Frozen]

I am a Russian.

[Slowly and dazedly] Do I understand that Mr. Quixano is a Jew?

KATHLEEN

Two Jews, miss. Both of 'em.

VERA

Oh, but it is impossible.

[Dazedly to herself] He had such charming manners.