MAIA.
Yes, I seem to see them quite plainly.
ULFHEIM.
[Taking the dogs" leash out of his pocket.] Then I had better see about tying you.
MAIA.
Have you gone quite mad? Would you tie me?
ULFHEIM.
If I am a demon, let me be a demon! So that"s the way of it! You can see the horns, can you?
MAIA.
[Soothingly.] There, there, there! Now try to behave nicely, Mr.
Ulfheim. [Breaking off.] But what has become of that hunting-castle of yours, that you boasted so much of? You said it lay somewhere hereabouts.
ULFHEIM.
[Points with a flourish to the hut.] There you have it, before your very eyes.
MAIA.
[Looks at him.] That old pig-stye!
ULFHEIM.
[Laughing in his beard.] It has harboured more than one king"s daughter, I can tell you.
MAIA.
Was it there that that horrid man you told me about came to the king"s daughter in the form of a bear?
ULFHEIM.
Yes, my fair companion of the chase--this is the scene. [With a gesture of invitation.] If you would deign to enter--
MAIA.
Isch! If ever I set foot in it--! Isch!
ULFHEIM.
Oh, two people can doze away a summer night in there comfortably enough.
Or a whole summer, if it comes to that!
MAIA.
Thanks! One would need to have a pretty strong taste for that kind of thing. [Impatiently.] But now I am tired both of you and the hunting expedition. Now I am going down to the hotel--before people awaken down there.
ULFHEIM.
How do you propose to get down from here?
MAIA.
That"s your affair. There must be a way down somewhere or other, I suppose.
ULFHEIM.
[Pointing towards the back.] Oh, certainly! There is a sort of way--right down the face of the precipice yonder--
MAIA.
There, you see. With a little goodwill--
ULFHEIM. --but just you try if you dare go that way.
MAIA.
[Doubtfully.] Do you think I can"t?
ULFHEIM.
Never in this world--if you don"t let me help you.