e 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--

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

But--?

MAIA.

But now I don't believe the least little bit that that was the reason--

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

Then what is your theory about it now?

MAIA.

I think now that it was on account of that pale lady.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

Madame von Satow--!

MAIA.

Yes, she who is always hanging at our heels. Yesterday evening she made
her appearance up here too.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

But what in all the world--!

MAIA.

Oh, I know you knew her very well indeed--long before you knew me.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

And had forgotten her, too--long before I knew you.

MAIA.

[Sitting upright.] Can you forget so easily, Rubek?

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Curtly.] Yes, very easily indeed. [Adds harshly.] When I want to
forget.

MAIA.

Even a woman who has been a model to you?

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

When I have no more use for her--

MAIA.

One who has stoo