When We Dead Awaken | Page 7

fellow-creatures, Lars. But take care
you keep them ravenous, all the same. Fresh meat-bones--but not too
much meat on them, do you hear? And be sure it's reeking raw, and
bloody. And get something in your own belly while you're about it.
[Aiming a kick at him.] Now then, go to hell with you!
[The SERVANT goes out with the dogs, behind the corner of the
hotel.]
THE INSPECTOR.
Would not Mr. Ulfheim like to go into the dining-room in the
meantime?
ULFHEIM.
In among all the half-dead flies and people? No, thank you a thousand
times, Mr. Inspector.
THE INSPECTOR.
Well, well, as you please.
ULFHEIM.
But get the housekeeper to prepare a hamper for me as usual. There
must be plenty of provender in it--and lots of brandy--! You can tell her
that I or Lars will come and play Old Harry with her if she doesn't---

THE INSPECTOR.
[Interrupting.] We know your ways of old. [Turning.] Can I give the
waiter any orders, Professor? Can I send Mrs. Rubek anything?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
No thank you; nothing for me.
MAIA.
Nor for me.
[The INSPECTOR goes into the hotel.
ULFHEIM.
[Stares at them for a moment; then lifts his hat.] Why, blast me if here
isn't a country tyke that has strayed into regular tip-top society.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Looking up.] What do you mean by that, Mr. Ulfheim?
ULFHEIM.
[More quietly and politely.] I believe I have the honour of addressing
no less a person than the great Sculptor Rubek.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Nods.] I remember meeting you once or twice--the autumn when I was
last at home.
ULFHEIM.
That's many years ago, now. And then you weren't so illustrious as I
hear you've since become. At that time even a dirty bear-hunter might
venture to come near you.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Smiling.] I don't bite even now.
MAIA.
[Looks with interest at ULFHEIM.] Are you really and truly a bear-
hunter?
ULFHEIM.
[Seating himself at the next table, nearer the hotel.] A bear-hunter when
I have the chance, madam. But I make the best of any sort of game that
comes in my way--eagles, and wolves, and women, and elks, and
reindeer--if only it's fresh and juicy and has plenty of blood in it.
[Drinks from his pocket-flask.
MAIA.
[Regarding him fixedly.] But you like bear-hunting best?
ULFHEIM.

I like it best, yes. For then one can have the knife handy at a pinch.
[With a slight smile.] We both work in a hard material, madam--both
your husband and I. He struggles with his marble blocks, I daresay; and
I struggle with tense and quivering bear-sinews. And we both of us win
the fight in the end--subdue and master our material. We never rest till
we've got the upper hand of it, though it fight never so hard.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Deep in thought.] There's a great deal of truth in what you say.
ULFHEIM.
Yes, for I take it the stone has something to fight for too. It is dead, and
determined by no manner of means to let itself be hammered into life.
Just like the bear when you come and prod him up in his lair.
MAIA.
Are you going up into the forests now to hunt?
ULFHEIM.
I am going right up into the high mountain.--I suppose you have never
been in the high mountain, madam?
MAIA.
No, never.
ULFHEIM.
Confound it all then, you must be sure and come up there this very
summer! I'll take you with me--both you and the Professor, with
pleasure.
MAIA.
Thanks. But Rubek is thinking of taking a sea trip this summer.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Round the coast--through the island channels.
ULFHEIM.
Ugh--what the devil would you do in those damnable sickly gutters--
floundering about in the brackish ditchwater? Dishwater I should rather
call it.
MAIA.
There, you hear, Rubek!
ULFHEIM.
No, much better come up with me to the mountain--away, clean away,
from the trail and taint of men. You cant' think what that means for me.
But such a little lady---

[He stops.
[The SISTER OF MERCY comes out of the pavilion and goes into the
hotel.
ULFHEIM.
[Following her with his eyes.] Just look at her, do! That night-crow
there!--Who is it that's to be buried?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
I have not heard of any one---
ULFHEIM.
Well, there's some one on the point of giving up the ghost, then--in on
corner or another.--People that are sickly and rickety should have the
goodness to see about getting themselves buried--the sooner the better.
MAIA.
Have you ever been ill yourself, Mr. Ulfheim.
ULFHEIM.
Never. If I had, I shouldn't be here.--But my nearest friends--they have
been ill, poor things.
MAIA.
And what did you do for your nearest friends?
ULFHEIM.
Shot them, of course.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Looking at him.] Shot them?
MAIA.