[Gloomily.] Used to be, yes—
But ever since you got your great masterpiece out of hand—
[Nods thoughtfully.] "The Resurrection Day"—
MAIA. —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.
[Short, repellently.] All the world knows nothing! Understands nothing!
Well, at any rate it can divine something—