May I?


IRENE.

Yes.--You need not be afraid of being frozen. I don't think I am quite
turned to ice yet.


PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Moves a chair and seats himself at her table.] There, Irene. Now we
two are sitting together as in the old days.


IRENE.

A little way apart from each other--also as in the old days.


PROFESSOR RUBEK.

[Moving nearer.] It had to be so, then.


IRENE.

Had it?