[Drinks from his pocket-flask.


MAIA.

[Regarding him fixedly.] But you like bear-hunting best?


ULFHEIM.

I like it best, yes. For then one can have the knife handy at a pinch.
[With a slight smile.] We both work in a hard material, madam--both
your husband and I. He struggles with his marble blocks, I daresay;
and I struggle with tense and quivering bear-sinews. And we both
of us win the fight in the end--subdue and master our material. We
never rest till we've got the upper hand of it, though it fight never
so hard.


PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Deep in thought.] There's a great deal of truth in what you say.


ULFHEIM.

Yes, for I take it the stone has something to fight for too. It is
dead, and determined by no manner of means to let itself be hammered
into life. Just like the bear when you come and prod him up in his