The Melting-Pot - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
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 [_Fl.u.s.tered_]
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.
[_Aloud again_]
You seem to think everybody Jewish. Are you sure Mr. Quixano is not Spanish?--the name sounds Spanish.
KATHLEEN Shpanis.h.!.+
[_She picks up the old Hebrew book on the armchair._]
Look at the ould lady's book. Is that Shpanish?
[_She points to the Mizrach._]
And that houly picture the ould lady says her pater-noster to! Is that Shpanish? And that houly table-cloth with the houly silver candle---- [_Cry of sudden astonishment_]
Why, I've ounly put---- [_She looks toward mantel and utters a great cry of alarm as she drops the Hebrew book on the floor._]
Why, where's the other candleshtick! Mother in hivin, they'll say I shtole the candleshtick!
[_Perceiving that VERA is dazedly moving toward door_]
Beggin' your pardon, miss---- [_She is about to move a chair toward the desk._]
VERA Thank you, I've changed my mind.
KATHLEEN That's more than I'll do.
VERA [_Hand on door_]
Don't say I called at all.
KATHLEEN Plaze yerself. What name did ye say?
[_MENDEL enters hastily from his bedroom, completely transmogrified, minus the skull-cap, with a Prince Albert coat, and boots instead of slippers, so that his appearance is gentlemanly. KATHLEEN begins to search quietly and unostentatiously in the table-drawers, the chiffonier, etc., etc., for the candlestick._
MENDEL I am sorry if I have kept you waiting---- [_He rubs his hands importantly._]
You see I have so many pupils already. Won't you sit down?
[_He indicates a chair._]
VERA [_Flus.h.i.+ng, embarra.s.sed, releasing her hold of the door handle_]
Thank you--I--I--I didn't come about pianoforte lessons.
MENDEL [_Sighing in disappointment_]
_Ach!_
VERA In fact I--er--it wasn't you I wanted at all--I was just going.
MENDEL [_Politely_]
Perhaps I can direct you to the house you are looking for.
VERA Thank you, I won't trouble you.
[_She turns toward the door again._]
MENDEL Allow me!
[_He opens the door for her._]
VERA [_Hesitating, struck by his manners, struggling with her anti-Jewish prejudice_]
It--it--was your son I wanted.
MENDEL [_His face lighting up_]
You mean my nephew, David. Yes, _he_ gives violin lessons.
[_He closes the door._]
