When We Dead Awaken | Page 3

who have been so much, much further away than I. Are you
entirely happy, now that you are at home again?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
No--to be quite candid--perhaps not entirely happy---
MAIA.
[With animation.] There, you see! Didn't I know it!
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
I have been too long abroad. I have drifted quite away from all this
--this home life.
MAIA.
[Eagerly, drawing her chair nearer him.] There, you see, Rubek! We
had much better get away again! As quickly as ever we can.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Somewhat impatiently.] Well, well, that is what we intend to do, my
dear Maia. You know that.
MAIA.
But why not now--at once? Only think how cozy and comfortable we
could be down there, in our lovely new house---
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Smiles indulgently.] We ought by rights to say: our lovely new home.
MAIA.

[Shortly.] I prefer to say house--let us keep to that.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[His eyes dwelling on her.] You are really a strange little person.
MAIA.
Am I so strange?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Yes, I think so.
MAIA.
But why, pray? Perhaps because I'm not desperately in love with
mooning about up here---?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Which of us was it that was absolutely bent on our coming north this
summer?
MAIA.
I admit, it was I.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
It was certainly not I, at any rate.
MAIA.
But good heavens, who could have dreamt that everything would have
altered so terribly at home here? And in so short a time, too! Why, it is
only just four years since I went away---
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Since you were married, yes.
MAIA.
Married? What has that to do with the matter?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Continuing.] --since you became the Frau Professor, and found
yourself mistress of a charming home--I beg your pardon--a very
handsome house, I ought to say. And a villa on the Lake of Taunitz,
just at the point that has become most fashionable, too--. In fact it is all
very handsome and distinguished, Maia, there's no denying that. And
spacious too. We need not always be getting in each other's way---
MAIA.
[Lightly.] No, no, no--there's certainly no lack of house-room, and that
sort of thing---
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Remember, too, that you have been living in altogether more spacious

and distinguished surroundings--in more polished society than you
were accustomed to at home.
MAIA.
[Looking at him.] Ah, so you think it is I that have changed?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Indeed I do, Maia.
MAIA.
I alone? Not the people here?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Oh yes, they too--a little, perhaps. And not at all in the direction of
amiability. That I readily admit.
MAIA.
I should think you must admit it, indeed.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Changing the subject.] Do you know how it affects me when I look at
the life of the people around us here?
MAIA.
No. Tell me.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
It makes me think of that night we spent in the train, when we were
coming up here---
MAIA.
Why, you were sound asleep all the time.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Not quite. I noticed how silent it became at all the little roadside
stations. I heard the silence--like you, Maia---
MAIA.
H'm,--like me, yes.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
--and that assured me that we had crossed the frontier--that we were
really at home. For the train stopped at all the little stations-- although
there was nothing doing at all.
MAIA.
Then why did it stop--though there was nothing to be done?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Can't say. No one got out or in; but all the same the train stopped a long,
endless time. And at every station I could make out that there were two

railway men walking up and down the platform--one with a lantern in
his hand--and they said things to each other in the night, low, and
toneless, and meaningless.
MAIA.
Yes, that is quite true. There are always two men walking up and down,
and talking---
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
--of nothing. [Changing to a livelier tone.] But just wait till to- morrow.
Then we shall have the great luxurious steamer lying in the harbour.
We'll go on board her, and sail all round the coast-- northward
ho!--right to the polar sea.
MAIA.
Yes, but then you will see nothing of the country--and of the people.
And that was what you particularly wanted.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Shortly and snappishly.] I have seen more than enough.
MAIA.
Do you think a sea voyage will be better for you?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
It is always a change.
MAIA.
Well, well, if only it is the right thing for you---
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
For me? The right thing? There is nothing in the world the matter with
me.
MAIA.
[Rises and goes to him.] Yes, there is, Rubek. I am sure you must feel it
yourself.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Why my dearest Maia--what should be amiss