MAIA.
[With a toss of the head.] Took her up with him finely, you may be sure!
Oh no! he beguiled her into a cold, clammy cage, where--as it seemed to her--there was neither sunlight nor fresh air, but only gilding and great petrified ghosts of people all around the walls.
ULFHEIM.
Devil take me, but it served her right!
MAIA.
Yes, but don"t you think it"s quite a comical story, all the same?
ULFHEIM.
[Looks at her moment.] Now listen to me, my good companion of the chase--
MAIA.
Well, what it is now?
ULFHEIM.
Should not we two tack our poor shreds of life together?
MAIA.
Is his worship inclined to set up as a patching-tailor?
ULFHEIM.
Yes, indeed he is. Might not we two try to draw the rags together here and there--so as to make some sort of a human life out of them?
MAIA.
And when the poor tatters were quite worn out--what then?
ULFHEIM.
[With a large gesture.] Then there we shall stand, free and serene--as the man and woman we really are!
MAIA.
[Laughing.] You with your goat-legs yes!
ULFHEIM.
And you with your--. Well, let that pa.s.s.
MAIA.
Yes, come--let us pa.s.s--on.
ULFHEIM.
Stop! Whither away, comrade?
MAIA.
Down to the hotel, of course.
ULFHEIM.
And afterward?
MAIA.
Then we"ll take a polite leave of each other, with thanks for pleasant company.
ULFHEIM.
Can we part, we two? Do you think we can?
MAIA.
Yes, you didn"t manage to tie me up, you know.
ULFHEIM.
I have a castle to offer you--