- bours' 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 tolerably 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.
