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Page 99
MAIA. No. He's good and always was; but he'd a terrible wife.
TEMPTER (to the STRANGER). Listen! You've not heard that yet, have
you? Rather the opposite. She was the good angel, whom you ruined ...
we've all been told that! Now, old Maia, what kind of story is it
he prattles of? He says he was plagued with remorse for seven years
because he owed you money.
MAIA. He owed me a small sum once; but I got it back from him--and
with good interest--much better than the savings bank would have
given me. It was very good of him--very kind.
STRANGER (starting up). What's that you said? Is it possible I've
forgotten?
TEMPTER. Have you the receipt, Maia? If so, give it me.
MAIA. The gentleman must have the receipt; but I've got the savings
bank book here. He paid the money into it in my name. (She produces
a savings bank book, and hands it to the STRANGER, who looks at
it.)
STRANGER. Yes, that's quite right. Now I remember. Then why this
seven-year torment, shame and disgrace? Those reproaches during
sleepless nights? Why? Why? Why?
TEMPTER. Old Maia, you can go now. But first say something nice
about this self-tormentor. Can't you remember any human quality in
this wild beast, whom human beings have baited for years?
STRANGER (to MAIA). Quiet, don't answer him! (He stops his ears
with his fingers.)
TEMPTER. Well, Maia?
MAIA. I know well enough what they say about him, but that refers
to what he writes--and I've not read it for I can't read. Still, no
one need read it, if they don't want to. Anyhow the gentleman's
been very kind. Now he's stopping his ears. I don't know how to
flatter; but I can say this in a whisper. ... (She whispers some
thing to the TEMPTER.)
TEMPTER. Yes. All human beings who are easily moved are baited
like wild beasts! It's the rule. Good bye, old Maia!
MAIA. Good-bye, kind gentlemen. (She goes out.)
STRANGER. Why did I suffer innocently for seven years?
TEMPTER (pointing upwards with one finger). Ask up there!
STRANGER. Where I never get an answer!
TEMPTER. Well, that may be. (Pause.) Do you think _I_ look good?
STRANGER. I can't say I do.
TEMPTER. You look extremely wicked, too! Do you know why we look
like that?
STRANGER. No.
TEMPTER. The hate and malice of our fellow human beings have
fastened themselves on us. Up there, you know, there are real
saints, who've never done anything wicked themselves, but who
suffer for others, for relations, who've committed unexpiated sins.
Those angels, who've taken the depravity of others on themselves,
really resemble bandits. What do you say to that?
STRANGER. I don't know who you are; but you're the first to answer
questions that might reconcile me to life. You are. ...
TEMPTER. Well, say it!
STRANGER. The deliverer!
TEMPTER. And therefore. ...?
STRANGER. Therefore you've been given a vulture. ... But listen,
have you ever thought that there's as good a reason for this as for
everything else? Granted the earth's a prison, on which dangerous
prisoners are confined--is it a good thing to set them free? Is it
right?
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