When We Dead Awaken | Page 5

wanted
to lure the neighbours' children out to play with me, in the woods and
on the mountains.
MAIA.
[Looking hard at him.] Perhaps you only wanted to lure me out to play,
as well?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Passing it off as a jest.] Well, has it not been a tolerable amusing game,
Maia?
MAIA.
[Coldly.] I did not go with you only to play.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
No, no, I daresay not.
MAIA.
And you never took me up with you to any high mountain, or showed
me---
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[With irritation.] --all the glory of the world? No, I did not. For, let me
tell you something: you are not really born to be a mountain- climber,
little Maia.
MAIA.
[Trying to control herself.] Yet at one time you seemed to think I was.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Four or five years ago, yes. [Stretching himself in his chair.] Four or
five years--it's a long, long time, Maia.
MAIA.
[Looking at him with a bitter expression.] Has the time seemed so very
long to you, Rubek?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
I am beginning now to find it a trifle long. [Yawning.] Now and then,
you know.
MAIA.
[Returning to her place.] I shall not bore you any longer.
[She resumes her seat, takes up the newspaper, and begins turning over
the leaves. Silence on both sides.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Leaning on his elbows across the table, and looking at her teasingly.]
Is the Frau Professor offended?
MAIA.
[Coldly, without looking up.] No, not at all.
[Visitors to the baths, most of them ladies, begin to pass, singly and in
groups, through the park from the right, and out to the left.
[Waiters bring refreshments from the hotel, and go off behind the
pavilion.
[The INSPECTOR, wearing gloves and carrying a stick, comes from
his rounds in the park, meets visitors, bows politely, and exchanges a
few words with some of them.
THE INSPECTOR.
[Advancing to PROFESSOR RUBEK's table and politely taking off his
hat.] I have the honour to wish you good morning, Mrs. Rubek.--Good
morning, Professor Rubek.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Good morning, good morning Inspector.
THE INSPECTOR.
[Addressing himself to MRS. RUBEK.] May I venture to ask if you
have slept well?
MAIA.
Yes, thank you; excellently--for my part. I always sleep like a stone.
THE INSPECTOR.
I am delighted to hear it. The first night in a strange place is often
rather trying.--And the Professor---?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Oh, my night's rest is never much to boast of--especially of late.
THE INSPECTOR.
[With a show of sympathy.] Oh--that is a pity. But after a few weeks'
stay at the Baths--you will quite get over that.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Looking up at him.] Tell me, Inspector--are any of your patients in the
habit of taking baths during the night?
THE INSPECTOR.
[Astonished.] During the night? No, I have never heard of such a thing.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Have you not?

THE INSPECTOR.
No, I don't know of any one so ill as to require such treatment.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Well, at any rate there is some one who is in the habit of walking about
the park by night?
THE INSPECTOR.
[Smiling and shaking his head.] No, Professor--that would be against
the rules.
MAIA.
[Impatiently.] Good Heavens, Rubek, I told you so this morning--you
must have dreamt it.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Drily.] Indeed? Must I? Thank you! [Turning to the INSPECTOR.]
The fact is, I got up last night--I couldn't sleep--and I wanted to see
what sort of night it was---
THE INSPECTOR.
[Attentively.] To be sure--and then---?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
I looked out at the window--and caught sight of a white figure in there
among the trees.
MAIA.
[Smiling to the INSPECTOR.] And the Professor declares that the
figure was dressed in a bathing costume---
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
--or something like it, I said. Couldn't distinguish very clearly. But I am
sure it was something white.
THE INSPECTOR.
Most remarkable. Was it a gentleman or a lady?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
I could almost have sworn it was a lady. But then after it came another
figure. And that one was quite dark--like a shadow---.
THE INSPECTOR.
[Starting.] A dark one? Quite black, perhaps?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Yes, I should almost have said so.
THE INSPECTOR.
[A light breaking in upon him.] And behind the white figure?

Following close upon her---?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Yes--at a little distance---
THE INSPECTOR.
Aha! Then I think I can explain the mystery, Professor.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Well, what was it then?
MAIA.
[Simultaneously.] Was the professor really not dreaming?
THE INSPECTOR.
[Suddenly whispering, as he directs their attention towards the
background on the right.] Hush, if you please! Look there--don't speak
loud for a moment.
[A slender lady, dressed in fine, cream-white cashmere, and followed
by a SISTER OF MERCY in black, with a silver cross hanging by a
chain on her