S
Rubinstein vas not a Jew.

VERA
Rubinstein was a Jewish boy-genius, just like my David.

BARONESS
But his parents vere baptized soon after his birth. I had it from his
patroness, ze Grande Duchesse Helena Pavlovna.

VERA
And did the water outside change the blood within? Rubinstein was our
Court pianist and was decorated by the Tsar. And you, the Tsar's
servant, dare to say you could not meet a Rubinstein.

BARON [_Wavering_]
I did not say I could not meet a _Rubinstein_.

VERA
You practically said so. David will be even greater than Rubinstein.
Come, father, I'll telephone for him; he is only round the corner.

BARONESS [_Excitedly_]
Ve vill not see him!

VERA [_Ignoring her_]
He shall bring his violin and play to you. There! You see, little
father, you are already less frowning--now take that last wrinkle out of
your forehead.
[_She caresses his forehead._]
Never mind! David will smooth it out with his music as his Biblical
ancestor smoothed that surly old Saul.

BARONESS
Ve vill not hear him!

BARON
Silence, Katusha! Oh, my little Vera, I little thought when I let you
study music at Petersburg----

VERA [_Smiling wheedlingly_]
That I should marry a musician. But you see, little father, it all ends
in music after all. Now I will go and perform on the telephone, I'm not
angel enough to bear one in here.
[_She goes toward the door of the hall, smiling happily._]

BARON [_With a last agonized cry of resistance_]
Halt!

VERA [_Turning, makes mock military salute_]
Yes, _papasha_.

BARON [_Overcome by her roguish smile_]
You--I--he--do you love this J--this David so much?

VERA [_Suddenly tragic_]
It would kill me to give him up.
[_Resuming smile_]
But don't let us talk of funerals on this happy day of sunshine and
reunion.
[_She kisses her hand to him and exit toward the hall._]

BARONESS [_Angrily_]
You are in her hands as vax!

BARON
She is the only child I have ever had, Katusha. Her baby arms curled
round my neck; in her baby sorrows her wet face nestled against little
father's.
[_He drops on a chair, and leans his head on the table._]

BARONESS [_Approaching tauntingly_]
So you vill have a Jew son-in-law!

BARON
You don't know what it meant to me to feel her arms round me again.

BARONESS
And a hook-nosed brat to call you grandpapa, and nestle his greasy face
against yours.

BARON [_Banging his fist on the table_]
Don't drive me mad!
[_His