When We Dead Awaken Part 6

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 pa.s.s, 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.