PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[With attention.] Who is it that"s not an artist?
MAIA.
[Again in a sleepy tone.] Why, he--the other one, of course.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
The bear-hunter, you mean?
MAIA.
Yes. There"s not a bit of the artist about him--not the least little bit.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Smiling.] No, I believe there"s no doubt about that.
MAIA.
[Vehemently, without moving.] And so ugly as he is! [Plucks up a tuft of heather and throws it away.] So ugly, so ugly! Isch!
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Is that why you are so ready to set off with him--out into the wilds?
MAIA.
[Curtly.] I don"t know. [Turning towards him.] You are ugly, too, Rubek.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Have you only just discovered it?
MAIA.
No, I have seen it for long.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Shrugging his shoulders.] One doesn"t grow younger. One doesn"t grow younger, Frau Maia.
MAIA.
It"s not that sort of ugliness that I mean at all. But there has come to be such an expression of fatigue, of utter weariness, in your eyes--when you deign, once in a while, to cast a glance at me.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Have you noticed that?
MAIA.
[Nods.] Little by little this evil look has come into your eyes. It seems almost as though you were nursing some dark plot against me.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Indeed? [In a friendly but earnest tone.] Come here and sit beside me, Maia; and let us talk a little.
MAIA.
[Half rising.] Then will you let me sit upon your knee? As I used to in the early days?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
No, you mustn"t--people can see us from the hotel. [Moves a little.] But you can sit here on the bench--at my side.
MAIA.
No, thank you; in that case I"d rather lie here, where I am. I can hear you quite well here. [Looks inquiringly at him.] Well, what is it you want to say to me?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Begins slowly.] What do you think was my real reason for agreeing to make this tour?
MAIA.
Well--I remember you declared, among other things, that it was going to do me such a tremendous lot of good. But--but--