Here at the Baths, you mean?

MAIA.

Wherever you go at home here, it seems to me.  Of course there was noise and bustle enough in the town.  But I don’t know how it is—­ even the noise and bustle seemed to have something dead about it.

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[With a searching glance.] You don’t seem particularly glad to be at home again, Maia?

MAIA.

[Looks at him.] Are you glad?

PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Evasively.] I—–?

MAIA.

Yes, you, 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.