The Melting-Pot Part 28

DAVID [_Still dazed but ecstatic_]

Herr Pappelmeister!

[_Changing back to despondency_]

But what certainty is there your Carnegie Hall audience would understand me? It would be the same smart set.

[_He drops dejectedly into a chair and lays down his violin._]

PAPPELMEISTER _Ach, nein._ Of course, some--ve can't keep peoble out merely because dey pay for deir seats. _Was?_ [_He laughs._]

DAVID It was always my dream to play it first to the new immigrants--those who have known the pain of the old world and the hope of the new.

PAPPELMEISTER Try it on the dog. _Was?_

DAVID Yes--on the dog that here will become a man!

PAPPELMEISTER [_Shakes his head_]

I fear neider dogs nor men are a musical breed.

DAVID The immigrants will not understand my music with their brains or their ears, but with their hearts and their souls.

VERA Well, then, why shouldn't it be done here--on our Roof-Garden?

DAVID [_Jumping up_]

A _Bas-Kol_! A _Bas-Kol_!

VERA What _are_ you talking?

DAVID Hebrew! It means a voice from heaven.

VERA Ah, but will Herr Pappelmeister consent?

PAPPELMEISTER [_Bowing_]

Who can disobey a voice from heaven?... But ven?

VERA On some holiday evening.... Why not the Fourth of July?

DAVID [_Still more ecstatic_]

Another _Bas-Kol_!... My American Symphony! Played to the People! Under G.o.d's sky! On Independence Day! With all the---- [_Waving his hand expressively, sighs voluptuously._]

That will be too perfect.

PAPPELMEISTER [_Smiling_]

Dat has to be seen. You must permit me to invite----

DAVID [_In horror_]

Not the musical critics!

PAPPELMEISTER [_Raising both hands with umbrella in equal horror_]

_Gott bewahre!_ But I'd like to invite all de persons in New York who really undershtand music.

VERA Splendid! But should we have room?

PAPPELMEISTER Room? I vant four blaces.

VERA [_Smiling_]

You are severe! Mr. Davenport was right.

PAPPELMEISTER [_Smiling_]

Perhaps de oders vill be out of town. _Also!_ [_Holding out his hand to DAVID_]

You come to Carnegie to-morrow at eleven. Yes? _Fraulein._ [_Kisses her hand._]

_Auf Wiedersehen!_ [_Going_]

On de Roof-Garden--_nicht wahr?_

VERA [_Smiling_]

Wind and weather permitting.

PAPPELMEISTER I haf alvays mein umbrella. _Was?_ Ha! Ha! Ha!

VERA [_Murmuring_]

Isn't he a darling? Isn't he----?

PAPPELMEISTER [_Pausing suddenly_]

But ve never settled de salary.

DAVID Salary!

[_He looks dazedly from one to the other._]

For the honour of playing in your orchestra!

PAPPELMEISTER Shylock!!... Never mind--ve settle de pound of flesh to-morrow. _Lebe wohl!_ [_Exit, the door closes._]

VERA [_Suddenly miserable_]

How selfish of you, David!

DAVID Selfish, Vera?

VERA Yes--not to think of your salary. It looks as if you didn't really love me.

DAVID Not love you? I don't understand.

VERA [_Half in tears_]

Just when I was so happy to think that now we shall be able to marry.

DAVID Shall we? Marry? On my salary as first violin?

VERA Not if you don't want to.

DAVID Sweetheart! Can it be true? How do you know?

VERA [_Smiling_]

_I'm_ not a Jew. I asked.

DAVID My guardian angel!