Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 11).djvu/368



You that used to be so indefatigable—working from morning to night!

[Gloomily.] Used to be, yes

But ever since you got your great masterpiece out of hand

[Nods thoughtfully.] "The Resurrection Day"

—the masterpiece that has gone round the whole world, and made you so famous

Perhaps that is just the misfortune, Maia.

How so?

When I had finished this masterpiece of mine—[''Makes a passionate movement with his hand'']—for "The Resurrection Day" is a masterpiece! Or was one in the beginning. No, it is one still. It must, must, must be a masterpiece!

[Looks at him in astonishment.] Why, Rubek—all the world knows that.