Yes. Off to kill a brown-boy.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Have you found the tracks of any?
MAIA.
[With superiority.] You don"t suppose that bears are to be found in the naked mountains, do you?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Where, then?
MAIA.
Far beneath. On the lower slopes; in the thickest parts of the forest.
Places your ordinary town-folk could never get through--
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
And you two are going down there to-morrow?
MAIA.
[Throwing herself down among the heather.] Yes, so we have arranged.--Or perhaps we may start this evening.--If you have no objection, that"s to say?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
I? Far be it from me to--
MAIA.
[Quickly.] Of course Lars goes with us--with the dogs.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
I feel no curiosity as to the movements of Mr. Lars and his dogs.
[Changing the subject.] Would you not rather sit properly on the seat?
MAIA.
[Drowsily.] No, thank you. I"m lying so delightfully in the soft heather.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
I can see that you are tired.
MAIA.
[Yawning.] I almost think I"m beginning to feel tired.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
You don"t notice it till afterwards--when the excitement is over--
MAIA.
[In a drowsy tone.] Just so. I will lie and close my eyes.
[A short pause.
MAIA.
[With sudden impatience.] Ugh, Rubek--how can you endure to sit there listening to these children"s screams! And to watch all the capers they are cutting, too!
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
There is something harmonious--almost like music--in their movements, now and then; amid all the clumsiness. And it amuses me to sit and watch for these isolated moments--when they come.
MAIA.
[With a somewhat scornful laugh.] Yes, you are always, always an artist.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
And I propose to remain one.
MAIA.
[Lying on her side, so that her back is turned to him.] There"s not a bit of the artist about him.