Mrs. Solness.
Mrs. Solness.
Mrs. Solness.
[Glancing again atKaia.] Well now, don’t forget, Halvard.
[Withdraws and closes the door behind her.
Kaia.
Kaia.
Kaia.
[Softly.] Oh dear, oh dear—I am sure Mrs. Solness thinks ill of me in some way!
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Oh, not in the least. Not more than usual at any rate. But all the same, you had better go now, Kaia.
Kaia.
Kaia.
Kaia.
Yes, yes, now Imustgo.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
[Severely.] And mind you get that matter settled for me. Do you hear?
Kaia.
Kaia.
Kaia.
Oh, if it only depended onme——
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Iwillhave it settled, I say! And to-morrow too—not a day later!
Kaia.
Kaia.
Kaia.
[Terrified.] If there’s nothing else for it, I am quite willing to break off the engagement.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
[Angrily.] Break it off. Are you mad? Would you think of breaking it off?
Kaia.
Kaia.
Kaia.
[Distracted.] Yes, if necessary. For Imust—Imuststay here with you! Ican’tleave you! That is utterly—utterly impossible!
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
[With a sudden outburst.] But deuce take it—how about Ragnar then! It’s Ragnar that I——
Kaia.
Kaia.
Kaia.
[Looks at him with terrified eyes.] It is chiefly on Ragnar’s account, that—that you——?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
[Collecting himself.] No, no, of course not! You don’t understand me either. [Gently and softly.] Of course it isyouI want to keep—you above everything,Kaia.But for that very reason, you must prevent Ragnar, too, from throwing up his situation. There, there,—now go home.
Kaia.
Kaia.
Kaia.
Yes, yes—good-night, then.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Good night. [As she is going.] Oh, stop a moment! Are Ragnar’s drawings in there?
Kaia.
Kaia.
Kaia.
I did not see him take them with him.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Then just go and find them for me. I might perhaps glance over them, after all.
Kaia.
Kaia.
Kaia.
[Happy.] Oh yes, please do!
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
For your sake, Kaia dear. Now, let me have them at once, please.
[Kaiahurries into the draughtsmen’s office, searches anxiously in the table-drawer finds a portfolio and brings it with her.
Kaia.
Kaia.
Kaia.
Here are all the drawings.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Good. Put them down there on the table.
Kaia.
Kaia.
Kaia.
[Putting down the portfolio.] Good night, then. [Beseechingly.] And please, please think kindly of me.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Oh, that I always do. Good-night, my dear little Kaia. [Glances to the right.] Go, go now!
Mrs. SolnessandDr. Herdalenter by the door on the right. He is a stoutish, elderly man, with a round, good-humoured face, clean shaven, with thin, light hair, and gold spectacles.
Mrs. SolnessandDr. Herdalenter by the door on the right. He is a stoutish, elderly man, with a round, good-humoured face, clean shaven, with thin, light hair, and gold spectacles.
Mrs. Solness.
Mrs. Solness.
Mrs. Solness.
[Still in the doorway.] Halvard, I cannot keep the doctor any longer.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Well then, come in here.
Mrs. Solness.
Mrs. Solness.
Mrs. Solness.
[ToKaia, who is turning down the desk-lamp.] Have you finished the letter already, Miss Fosli?
Kaia.
Kaia.
Kaia.
[In confusion.] The letter——?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Yes, it was quite a short one.
Mrs. Solness.
Mrs. Solness.
Mrs. Solness.
It must have been very short.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
You may go now, Miss Fosli. And please come in good time to-morrow morning.
Kaia.
Kaia.
Kaia.
I will be sure to. Good-night, Mrs. Solness.
[She goes out by the hall door.
Mrs. Solness.
Mrs. Solness.
Mrs. Solness.
She must be quite an acquisition to you, Halvard, this Miss Fosli.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Yes, indeed. She is useful in all sorts of ways.
Mrs. Solness.
Mrs. Solness.
Mrs. Solness.
So it seems.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Is she good at book-keeping too?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Well—of course she has had a good deal of practice during these two years. And then she is so nice and willing to do whatever one asks of her.
Mrs. Solness.
Mrs. Solness.
Mrs. Solness.
Yes, that must be very delightful——
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
It is. Especially when one is not too much accustomed to that sort of thing.
Mrs. Solness.
Mrs. Solness.
Mrs. Solness.
[In a tone of gentle remonstrance.] Canyousay that, Halvard?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Oh, no, no, my dear Aline; I beg your pardon.
Mrs. Solness.
Mrs. Solness.
Mrs. Solness.
There’s no occasion.—Well then, doctor, you will come back later on, and have a cup of tea with us?
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
I have only that one patient to see, and then I’ll come back.
Mrs. Solness.
Mrs. Solness.
Mrs. Solness.
Thank you.
[She goes out by the door on the right.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Are you in a hurry, doctor?
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
No, not at all.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
May I have a little chat with you?
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
With the greatest of pleasure.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Then let us sit down. [He motions the doctor to take the rocking-chair, and sits down himself in the arm-chair. Looks searchingly at him.] Tell me—did you notice anything odd about Aline?
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Do you mean just now, when she was here?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Yes, in her manner to me. Did you notice anything?
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
[Smiling.] Well, I admit—one couldn’t well avoid noticing that your wife—h’m——
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Well?
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
—that your wife is not particularly fond of this Miss Fosli.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Is that all? I have noticed that myself.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
And I must say I am scarcely surprised at it.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
At what?
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
That she should not exactly approve of your seeing so much of another woman, all day and every day.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
No, no, I suppose you are right there—and Aline too. But it’s impossible to make any change.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Could you not engage a clerk?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
The first man that came to hand? No, thank you—that would never do for me.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
But now, if your wife——? Suppose, with her delicate health, all this tries her too much?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Even then—I might almost say—it can make no difference. Imustkeep Kaia Fosli. No one else could fill her place.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
No one else?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
[Curtly.] No, no one.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
[Drawing his chair closer.] Now listen to me my dear Mr.Solness.May I ask you a question, quite between ourselves?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
By all means.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Women, you see—in certain matters, they have a deucedly keen intuition——
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
They have, indeed. There is not the least doubt of that. But——?
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Well, tell me now—if your wife can’t endure this Kaia Fosli——?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Well, what then?
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
—may she not have just—just the least little bit of reason for this instinctive dislike?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
[Looks at him and rises.] Oho!
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Now don’t be offended—buthasn’tshe?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
[With curt decision.] No.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
No reason of any sort?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
No other reason than her own suspicious nature.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
I know you have known a good many women in your time.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Yes, I have.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
And have been a good deal taken with some of them, too.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Oh yes, I don’t deny it.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
But as regards Miss Fosli, then? There is nothing of that sort in the case?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
No; nothing at all—onmyside.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
But on her side?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
I don’t think you have any right to ask that question, doctor.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Well, you know, we were discussing your wife’s intuition.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
So we were. And for that matter—[lowers his voice]—Aline’s intuition, as you call it—in a certain sense, it has not been so far astray.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Aha! there we have it!
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
[Sits down.] Doctor Herdal—I am going to tell you a strange story—if you care to listen to it.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
I like listening to strange stories.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Very well then. I daresay you recollect that I took Knut Brovik and his son into my employment—after the old man’s business had gone to thedogs.dogs.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Yes, so I have understood.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
You see, they really are clever fellows, these two. Each of them has talent in his own way. But then the son took it into his head to get engaged; and the next thing, of course, was that he wanted to get married—and begin to build on his own account. That is the way with all these young people.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
[Laughing.] Yes, they have a bad habit of wanting to marry.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Just so. But of course that did not suitmyplans; for I needed Ragnar myself—and the old man too. He is exceedingly good at calculating bearing-strains and cubic contents—and all that sort of devilry, you know.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Oh yes, no doubt that’s indispensable.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Yes, it is. But Ragnar was absolutely bent on setting to work for himself. He would hear of nothing else.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
But he has stayed with you all the same.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Yes, I’ll tell you how that came about. One day this girl, Kaia Fosli, came to see them on some errand or other. She had never been here before. And when I saw how utterly infatuated they were with each other, the thought occurred to me: if I could only get her into the office here, then perhaps Ragnar too would stay where he is.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
That was not at all a bad idea.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Yes, but at the time I did not breathe a word of what was in my mind. I merely stood andlooked at her—and kept on wishing intently that I could have her here. Then I talked to her a little, in a friendly way—about one thing and another. And then she went away.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Well?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Well then, next day, pretty late in the evening, when old Brovik and Ragnar had gone home, she came here again, and behaved as if I had made an arrangement with her.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
An arrangement? What about?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
About the very thing my mind had been fixed on. But I hadn’t said one single word about it.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
That was mostextraordinary.extraordinary.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Yes, was it not? And now she wanted to know what she was to do here—whether she could begin the very next morning, and so forth.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Don’t you think she did it in order to be with her sweetheart?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
That was what occurred to me at first. But no, that was not it. She seemed to drift quite away fromhim—when once she had come here to me.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
She drifted over to you, then?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Yes, entirely. If I happen to look at her when her back is turned, I can tell that she feels it. She quivers and trembles the moment I come near her. What do you think ofthat?
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
H’m—that’s not very hard to explain.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Well, but what about the other thing? That she believed I had said to her what I had only wished and willed—silently—inwardly—to myself? What do you say tothat? Can you explain that, Dr. Herdal?
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
No, I won’t undertake to do that.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
I felt sure you would not; and so I have never cared to talk about it till now.—But it’s a cursed nuisance to me in the long run, you understand. Here have I got to go on day after day pretending——. And it’s a shame to treat her so, too, poor girl. [Vehemently.] But Icannotdo anything else. For ifsheruns away from me—then Ragnar will be off too.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
And you have not told your wife the rights of the story?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
No.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Then why on earth don’t you?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
[Looks fixedly at him, and says in a low voice:] Because I seem to find a sort of—of salutary self-torture in allowing Aline to do me an injustice.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
[Shakes his head.] I don’t in the least understand what you mean.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Well, you see—it is like paying off a little bit of a huge, immeasurable debt——
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
To your wife?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Yes; and that always helps to relieve one’s mind a little. One can breathe more freely for a while, you understand.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
No, goodness knows, I don’t understand at all——
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
[Breaking off, rises again.] Well, well, well—then we won’t talk any more about it. [He saunters across the room, returns, and stops beside the table. Looks at the doctor with a sly smile.] I suppose you think you have drawn me out nicely now, doctor?
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
[With some irritation.] Drawn you out? Again I have not the faintest notion what you mean, Mr. Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Oh come, out with it; I have seen it quite clearly, you know.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Whathave you seen?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
[In a low voice, slowly.] That you have been quietly keeping an eye upon me.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
ThatIhave! And why in all the world should I dothat?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Because you think that I——[Passionately.] Well, devil take it—you think the same of me as Aline does.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
And what doesshethink about you?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
[Having recovered his self-control.] She has begun to think that I am—that I am—ill.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Ill!You! She has never hinted such a thing to me. Why, what can she think is the matter with you?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
[Leans over the back of the chair and whispers.] Aline has made up her mind that I am mad.Thatis what she thinks.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
[Rising.] Why, my dear good fellow——!
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Yes, on my soul she does! I tell you it is so. And she has got you to think the same! Oh, I can assure you, doctor, I see it in your face as clearly as possible. You don’t take me in so easily, I can tell you.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
[Looks at him in amazement.] Never, Mr. Solness—never has such a thought entered my mind.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
[With an incredulous smile.] Really? Has it not?
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
No, never! Nor your wife’s mind either, I am convinced. I could almost swear to that.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Well, I wouldn’t advise you to. For, in a certain sense, you see, perhaps—perhaps she is not so far wrong in thinking something of the kind.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Come now, I really must say——
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
[Interrupting, with a sweep of his hand.] Well, well, my dear doctor—don’t let us discuss this any further. We had better agree to differ. [Changes to a tone of quiet amusement.] But look here now, doctor—h’m——
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Well?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Since you don’t believe that I am—ill—and crazy—and mad, and so forth——
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
What then?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
Then I daresay you fancy that I am an extremely happy man.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Isthatmere fancy?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
[Laughs.] No, no—of course not! Heaven forbid! Only think—to be Solness the master builder! Halvard Solness! What could be more delightful?
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Yes, I must say it seems to me you have had the luck on your side to an astounding degree.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
[Suppresses a gloomy smile.] So I have. I can’t complain onthatscore.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
First of all that grim old robbers’ castle wasburnt down for you. Andthatwas certainly a great piece of luck.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
[Seriously.] It was the home of Aline’s family. Remember that.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Yes, it must have been a great grief toher.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
She has not got over it to this day—not in all these twelve or thirteen years.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Ah, but what followed must have been the worst blow for her.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
The one thing with the other.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
But you—yourself—yourose upon the ruins. You began as a poor boy from a country village—and now you are at the head of your profession. Ah, yes, Mr. Solness, you have undoubtedly had the luck on your side.
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
[Looking at him with embarrassment.] Yes, but that is just what makes me so horribly afraid.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Afraid? Because you have the luck on your side!
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
It terrifies me—terrifies me every hour of the day. For sooner or later the luck must turn, you see.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Oh nonsense! What should make the luck turn?
Solness.
Solness.
Solness.
[With firm assurance.] The younger generation.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Dr. Herdal.
Pooh! The younger generation! You are not laid on the shelf yet, I should hope. Oh no—your position here is probably firmer now than it has ever been.