When We Dead Awaken | Page 4

one in the beginning. No, it is one still. It must, must, must be a masterpiece!
MAIA.
[Looks at him in astonishment.] Why, Rubek--all the world knows that.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Short, repellently.] All the world knows nothing! Understands nothing!
MAIA.
Well, at any rate it can divine something---
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Something that isn't there at all, yes. Something that never was in my mind. Ah yes, that they can all go into ecstasies over! [Growling to himself.] What is the good of working oneself to death for the mob and the masses--for "all the world"!
MAIA.
Do you think it is better, then--do you think it is worthy of you, to do nothing at all but portrait-bust now and then?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[With a sly smile.] They are not exactly portrait-busts that I turn out, Maia.
MAIA.
Yes, indeed they are--for the last two or three years--ever since you finished your great group and got it out of the house---
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
All the same, they are no mere portrait-busts, I assure you.
MAIA.
What are they, then?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
There is something equivocal, something cryptic, lurking in and behind these busts--a secret something, that the people themselves cannot see---
MAIA.
Indeed?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Decisively.] I alone can see it. And it amuses me unspeakably.--On the surface I give them the "striking likeness," as they call it, that they all stand and gape at in astonishment--[Lowers his voice]--but at bottom they are all respectable, pompous horse-faces, and self- opinionated donkey-muzzles, and lop-eared, low-browed dog-skulls, and fatted swine-snouts--and sometimes dull, brutal bull-fronts as well---
MAIA.
[Indifferently.] All the dear domestic animals, in fact.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Simply the dear domestic animals, Maia. All the animals which men have bedevilled in their own image--and which have bedevilled men in return. [Empties his champagne-glass and laughs.] And it is these double-faced works of art that our excellent plutocrats come and order of me. And pay for in all good faith--and in good round figures too--almost their weight in gold, as the saying goes.
MAIA.
[Fills his glass.] Come, Rubek! Drink and be happy.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Passes his hand several times across his forehead and leans back in his chair.] I am happy, Maia. Really happy--in a way. [Short silence.] For after all there is a certain happiness in feeling oneself free and independent on every hand--in having at ones command everything one can possibly wish for--all outward things, that is to say. Do you not agree with me, Maia?
MAIA.
Oh yes, I agree. All that is well enough in its way. [Looking at him.] But do you remember what you promised me the day we came to an understanding on--on that troublesome point---
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Nods.] --on the subject of our marriage, yes. It was no easy matter for you, Maia.
MAIA.
[Continuing unruffled.] --and agreed that I was to go abroad with you, and live there for good and all--and enjoy myself.--Do you remember what you promised me that day?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Shaking his head.] No, I can't say that I do. Well, what did I promise?
MAIA.
You said you would take me up to a high mountain and show me all the glory of the world.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[With a slight start.] Did I promise you that, too?
MAIA.
Me too? Who else, pray?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Indifferently.] No, no, I only meant did I promise to show you---?
MAIA.
--all the glory of the world? Yes, you did. And all that glory should be mine, you said.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
That is sort of figure of speech that I was in the habit of using once upon a time.
MAIA.
Only a figure of speech?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
Yes, a schoolboy phrase--the sort of thing I used to say when I 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