best of all.


MAIA.

[Tossing her head.] Well--I must say! [After a pause; looks
searchingly at him.] Why did you let the dogs loose up there?


ULFHEIM.

[Blinking his eyes and smiling.] So that they too might do a little
hunting on their own account, don't you see?


MAIA.

There's not a word of truth in that! It wasn't for the dogs' sake
that you let them go.


ULFHEIM.

[Still smiling.] Well, why did I let them go then? Let us hear.


MAIA.

You let them go because you wanted to get rid of Lars. He was to run
after them and bring them in again, you said. And in the meant-time--.