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.

VE