MAIA.
There, you hear, Rubek!
ULFHEIM.
No, much better come up with me to the mountain--away, clean away, from the trail and taint of men. You cant" think what that means for me. But such a little lady--
[He stops.
[The SISTER OF MERCY comes out of the pavilion and goes into the hotel.
ULFHEIM.
[Following her with his eyes.] Just look at her, do! That night-crow there!--Who is it that"s to be buried?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
I have not heard of any one--
ULFHEIM.
Well, there"s some one on the point of giving up the ghost, then--in on corner or another.--People that are sickly and rickety should have the goodness to see about getting themselves buried--the sooner the better.
MAIA.
Have you ever been ill yourself, Mr. Ulfheim.
ULFHEIM.
Never. If I had, I shouldn"t be here.--But my nearest friends--they have been ill, poor things.
MAIA.
And what did you do for your nearest friends?
ULFHEIM.
Shot them, of course.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Looking at him.] Shot them?
MAIA.
[Moving her chair back.] Shot them dead?
ULFHEIM.
[Nods.] I never miss, madam.
MAIA.
But how can you possibly shoot people!
ULFHEIM.
I am not speaking of people--
MAIA.
You said your nearest friends--
ULFHEIM.
Well, who should they be but my dogs?
MAIA.
Are your dogs your nearest friends?
ULFHEIM.
I have none nearer. My honest, trusty, absolutely loyal comrades--. When one of them turns sick and miserable--bang!--and there"s my friend sent packing--to the other world.
[The SISTER OF MERCY comes out of the hotel with a tray on which is bread and milk. She places it on the table outside the pavilion, which she enters.
ULFHEIM.
[Laughs scornfully.] That stuff there--is that what you call food for human beings! Milk and water and soft, clammy bread. Ah, you should see my comrades feeding. Should you like to see it?