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
God'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? _Fraeulein._
[_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!
[_Embracing her. He sits down,