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 head drops again._] BARONESS Then drive me home--I vill not meet him.... Alexis! [_She taps him on the shoulder with her parasol. He does not move._] Alexis Ivanovitch! Do you not listen!... [_She stamps her foot._] Zen I go to ze hotel alone. [_She walks angrily toward the hall. Just before she reaches the door, it opens, and the servant ushers in HERR PAPPELMEISTER with his umbrella. The BARONESS'S tone changes instantly to a sugared society accent._] How do you do, Herr Pappelmeister? [_She extends her hand, which he takes limply._] You don't remember me? _Non?_ [_Exit servant._] Ve vere with Mr. Quincy Davenport at Wiesbaden---ze Baroness Revendal. PAPPELMEISTER _So!_ [_He drops her hand._] BARONESS Yes, it vas ze Baron's entousiasm for you zat got you your present position. PAPPELMEISTER [_Arching his eyebrows_] _So!_ BARONESS Yes--zere he is! [_She turns toward the BARON._] Alexis, rouse yourself! [_She taps him with her parasol._] Zis American air makes ze Baron so sleepy. BARON [_Rises dazedly and bows_] Charmed to meet you, Herr---- BARONESS Pappelmeister! You remember ze great Pappelmeister. BARON [_Waking up, becomes keen_] Ah, yes, yes, charmed--why do you never bring your orchestra to Russia, Herr Pappelmeister? PAPPELMEISTER [_Surprised_] Russia? It never occurred to me to go to Russia--she seems so uncivilised. BARONESS [_Angry_] Uncivilised! Vy, ve have ze finest restaurants in ze vorld! And ze best telephones! PAPPELMEISTER _So?_ BARONESS Yes, and the most beautiful ballets--Russia is affrightfully misunderstood. [_She sweeps away in burning indignation. PAPPELMEISTER murmurs in deprecation. Re-enter VERA from the hall. She is gay and happy._] VERA He is coming round at once---- [_She utters a cry of pleased surprise._] Herr Pappelmeister! This is indeed a pleasure! [_She gives PAPPELMEISTER her hand, which he kisses._] BARONESS [_Sotto voce to the BARON_] Let us go before he comes. [_The BARON ignores her, his eyes hungrily on VERA._] PAPPELMEISTER [_To VERA_] But I come again--you have visitors. VERA [_Smiling_] Only my father and---- PAPPELMEISTER [_Surprised_] Your fader? _Ach so!_ [_He taps his forehead._] Revendal! BARONESS [_Sotto voce to the BARON_] I vill not meet a Jew, I tell you.