ENDEL
No--on his left. For a violinist that is even worse.

VERA
Ah, of course--the weight and the fingering.
[_Subconsciously placing and fingering an imaginary violin._]

MENDEL
That is why I fear so for his future--he will never be strong enough for
the feats of bravura that the public demands.

VERA
The wild beasts! I feel more ashamed of my country than ever. But
there's his symphony.

MENDEL
And who will look at that amateurish stuff? He knows so little of
harmony and counterpoint--he breaks all the rules. I've tried to give
him a few pointers--but he ought to have gone to Germany.

VERA
Perhaps it's not too late.

MENDEL [_Passionately_]
Ah, if you and your friends could help him! See--I'm begging after all.
But it's not for myself.

VERA
My father loves music. Perhaps _he_--but no! he lives in Kishineff. But
I will think--there are people here--I will write to you.

MENDEL [_Fervently_]
Thank you! Thank you!

VERA
Now you must go to him. Good-bye. Tell him I count upon him for the
Concert.

MENDEL
How good you are!
[_He follows her to the street-door._]

VERA [_At door_]
Say good-bye for me to your mother--she seems asleep.

MENDEL [_Opening outer door_]
I am sorry it is snowing so.

VERA
We Russians are used to it.
[_Smiling, at exit_]
Good-bye--let us hope your David will turn out a Rubinstein.

MENDEL [_Closing the doors softly_]
I never thought a Russian Christian could be so human.
[_He looks at the clock._]
_Gott in Himmel_--my dancing class!
[_He hurries into the overcoat hanging on the hat-rack. Re-enter
DAVID, having composed himself, but still somewhat dazed._]

DAVID
She is gone? Oh, but I have driven her away by my craziness. Is she very
angry?

MENDEL
Quite the contrary--she expects you at the Concert, and what is more----

DAVID [_Ecstatically_]
And she understood! She understood my Crucible of God! Oh, uncle, you
don't know what it means to me to have somebody who understands me. Even
you have never understood----

MENDEL [_Wounded_]
Nonsense! How can Miss Revendal understand you better than your own
uncle?

DAVID [_Mystically exalted_]
I can't explain--I feel it.

MENDEL
Of course she's interested in your music, thank Heaven. But what true
understanding can there be between a Russian Jew and a Russian
Christian?

DAVID
What understanding? Aren't we both Americans?

MENDEL
Well, I haven't time to discuss it now.