MENDEL I'm not dressed to receive visitors--it may be a new pupil. [_He goes toward staircase, automatically carrying off the candlestick which KATHLEEN has not caught sight of. Exit on the left._] KATHLEEN [_Moving toward the street-door_] The divil fly away wid me if ivir from this 'our I set foot again among haythen furriners---- [_She throws open the door angrily and then the outer door. VERA REVENDAL, a beautiful girl in furs and muff, with a touch of the exotic in her appearance, steps into the little vestibule._] VERA Is Mr. Quixano at home? KATHLEEN [_Sulkily_] Which Mr. Quixano? VERA [_Surprised_] Are there two Mr. Quixanos? KATHLEEN [_Tartly_] Didn't I say there was? VERA Then I want the one who plays. KATHLEEN There isn't a one who plays. VERA Oh, surely! KATHLEEN Ye're wrong entirely. They both plays. VERA [_Smiling_] Oh, dear! And I suppose they both play the violin. KATHLEEN Ye're wrong again. One plays the piano--ounly the young ginthleman plays the fiddle--Mr. David! VERA [_Eagerly_] Ah, Mr. David--that's the one I want to see. KATHLEEN He's out. [_She abruptly shuts the door._] VERA [_Stopping its closing_] Don't shut the door! KATHLEEN [_Snappily_] More chanst of seeing him out there than in here! VERA But I want to leave a message. KATHLEEN Then why don't ye come inside? It's freezin' me to the bone. [_She sneezes._] Atchoo! VERA I'm sorry. [_She comes in and closes the door_] Will you please say Miss Revendal called from the Settlement, and we are anxiously awaiting his answer to the letter asking him to play for us on---- KATHLEEN What way will I be tellin' him all that? I'm not here. VERA Eh? KATHLEEN I'm lavin'--just as soon as I've me thrunk packed. VERA Then I must _write_ the message--can I write at this desk? KATHLEEN If the ould woman don't come in and shpy you. VERA What old woman? KATHLEEN Ould Mr. Quixano's mother--she wears a black wig, she's that houly. VERA [_Bewildered_] What?... But why should she mind my writing? KATHLEEN Look at the clock. [_VERA looks at the clock, more puzzled than ever._] If ye're not quick, it'll be _Shabbos_. VERA Be what? KATHLEEN [_Holds up hands of horror_] Ye don't know what _Shabbos_ is! A Jewess not know her own Sunday! VERA [_Outraged_] I, a Jewess! How dare you? KATHLEEN [_Flustered_] Axin' your pardon, miss, but ye looked a bit furrin and I---- VERA [_Frozen_] I am a Russian. [_Slowly and dazedly_] Do I understand that Mr. Quixano is a Jew? KATHLEEN Two Jews, miss. Both of 'em. VERA Oh, but it is impossible. [_Dazedly to herself_] He had such charming manners. [_Aloud again_] You seem to think everybody Jewish. Are you sure Mr. Quixano is not Spanish?--the name sounds Spanish.