Chapter 22

Solness.

No, on the contrary—I am perfectly certain that the crack in the chimney had nothing whatever to do with the fire.

Hilda.

What!

Solness.

It has been clearly ascertained that the fire broke out in a clothes-cupboard—in a totally different part of the house.

Hilda.

Then what is all this nonsense you are talking about the crack in the chimney!

Solness.

May I go on talking to you a little, Hilda?

Hilda.

Yes, if you’ll only talk sensibly——

Solness.

I will try to.[He moves his chair nearer.

Hilda.

Out with it, then, Mr. Solness.

Solness.

[Confidentially.] Don’t you agree with me, Hilda, that there exist special, chosen people who have been endowed with the power and faculty ofdesiringa thing,cravingfor a thing,willinga thing—so persistently and so—so inexorably— that at last it has tohappen? Don’t you believe that?

Hilda.

[With an indefinable expression in her eyes.] If that is so, we shall see, one of these days, whetherIam one of the chosen.

Solness.

It is not one’s selfalonethat can do such great things. Oh, no—the helpers and the servers—they must do their part too, if it is to be of any good. But they never come of themselves. One has to call upon them very persistently—inwardly, you understand.

Hilda.

What are these helpers and servers?

Solness.

Oh, we can talk about that some other time. For the present, let us keep to this business of the fire.

Hilda.

Don’t you think that fire would have happened all the same—even without your wishing for it?

Solness.

If the house had been old Knut Brovik’s, it would never have burnt down so conveniently forhim. I am sure of that; for he does not know how to call for the helpers—no, nor for the servers, either. [Rises in unrest.] So you see, Hilda—it is my fault, after all, that the lives of the two little boys had to be sacrificed. And do you think it is not my fault, too, that Aline has never been the woman she should and might have been—and that she most longed to be?

Hilda.

Yes, but if it is all the work of those helpers and servers——?

Solness.

Who called for the helpers and servers? It was I! And they came and obeyed my will. [In increasing excitement.]Thatis what people call having the luck on your side; but I must tell you what this sort of luck feels like! It feels like a great raw place here on my breast. And the helpers and servers keep on flaying pieces of skin off other people in order to close my sore!—But still the sore is not healed—never, never! Oh, if you knew how it can sometimes gnaw and burn.

Hilda.

[Looks attentively at him.] You are ill, Mr. Solness. Very ill, I almost think.

Solness.

Saymad; for that is what you mean.

Hilda.

No, I don’t think there is much amiss with your intellect.

Solness.

Withwhatthen? Out with it!

Hilda.

I wonder whether you were not sent into the world with a sickly conscience.

Solness.

A sickly conscience? What devilry is that?

Hilda.

I mean that your conscience is feeble—too delicately built, as it were—hasn’t strength to take a grip of things—to lift and bear what is heavy.

Solness.

[Growls.] H’m! May I ask, then, what sort of a conscience one ought to have?

Hilda.

I should likeyourconscience to be—to be thoroughly robust.

Solness.

Indeed? Robust, eh? Is your own conscience robust, may I ask?

Hilda.

Yes, I think it is. I have never noticed that it wasn’t.

Solness.

It has not been put very severely to the test, I shouldthink.think.

Hilda.

[With a quivering of the lips.] Oh, it was no such simple matter to leave father—I am so awfully fond of him.

Solness.

Dear me! for a month or two——

Hilda.

I think I shall never go home again.

Solness.

Never? Then why did you leave him?

Hilda.

[Half-seriously, half-banteringly.] Have you forgotten again that the ten years are up?

Solness.

Oh nonsense. Was anything wrong at home? Eh?

Hilda.

[Quite seriously.] It was this impulse within me that urged and goaded me to come—and lured and drew me on, as well.

Solness.

[Eagerly.] There, we have it! There we have it, Hilda! There is a troll in you too, as in me. For it’s the troll in one, you see—it isthatthat calls to the powers outside us. And then youmustgive in—whether you will or no.

Hilda.

I almost think you are right, Mr. Solness.

Solness.

[Walks about the room.] Oh, there are devils innumerable abroad in the world, Hilda, that one neversees!

Hilda.

Devils, too?

Solness.

[Stops.] Good devils and bad devils; light-haired devils and black-haired devils. If only you could always tell whether it is the light or dark ones that have got hold of you! [Paces about.] Ho-ho! Then it would be simple enough!

Hilda.

[Follows him with her eyes.] Or if one had a really vigorous, radiantly healthy conscience—so that onedaredto do what onewould.

Solness.

[Stops beside the console table.] I believe, now, that most people are just as puny creatures as I am in that respect.

Hilda.

I shouldn’t wonder.

Solness.

[Leaning against the table.] In the sagas——. Have you read any of the old sagas?

Hilda.

Oh yes! When I used to read books, I——

Solness.

In the sagas you read about vikings, who sailed to foreign lands, and plundered and burned and killed men——

Hilda.

And carried off women——

Solness.

——and kept them in captivity——

Hilda.

——took them home in their ships——

Solness.

——and behaved to them like—like the very worst of trolls.

Hilda.

[Looks straight before her, with a half-veiled look.] I thinkthatmust have been thrilling.

Solness.

[With a short, deep laugh.] To carry off women eh?

Hilda.

To be carried off.

Solness.

[Looks at her a moment.] Oh, indeed.

Hilda.

[As if breaking the thread of the conversation.] But what made you speak of these vikings, Mr. Solness?

Solness.

Why,thosefellows must have had robust consciences, if you like! When they got home again, they could eat and drink, and be as happy as children. And the women, too! They often would not leave them on any account. Can you understand that, Hilda?

Hilda.

Those women I can understand exceedingly well.

Solness.

Oho! Perhaps you could do the same yourself?

Hilda.

Why not?

Solness.

Live—of your own free will—with a ruffian like that?

Hilda.

If it was a ruffian I had come to love——

Solness.

Couldyou come to love a man like that?

Hilda.

Good heavens, you know very well one can’t choose whom one is going to love.

Solness.

[Looks meditatively at her.] Oh no, I suppose it is the troll within one that’s responsible for that.

Hilda.

[Half-laughing.] And all those blessëd devils, thatyouknow so well—both the light-haired and the dark-haired ones.

Solness.

[Quietly and warmly.] Then I hope with all my heart that the devils will choose carefully for you, Hilda.

Hilda.

For me theyhavechosen already—once and for all.

Solness.

[Looks earnestly at her.] Hilda—you are like a wild bird of the woods.

Hilda.

Far from it. I don’t hide myself away under the bushes.

Solness.

No, no. There is rather something of the bird of prey in you.

Hilda.

That is nearer it—perhaps. [Very vehemently.] And why not a bird of prey? Why should notIgo a-hunting—I, as well as the rest? Carry off the prey I want—if only I can get my claws into it, and do with it as I will.

Solness.

Hilda—do you know what you are?

Hilda.

Yes, I suppose I am a strange sort of bird.

Solness.

No. You are like a dawning day. When I look at you—I seem to be looking towards the sunrise.

Hilda.

Tell me, Mr. Solness—are you certain that you have never called me to you? Inwardly, you know?

Solness.

[Softly and slowly.] I almost think I must have.

Hilda.

What did you want with me?

Solness.

You are the younger generation, Hilda.

Hilda.

[Smiles.] That younger generation that you are so afraid of?

Solness.

[Nods slowly.] And which, in my heart, I yearn towards so deeply.

[Hildarises, goes to the little table, and fetchesRagnak Brovik’sportfolio.

Hilda.

[Holds out the portfolio to him.] We were talking of these drawings——

Solness.

[Shortly, waving them away.] Put those things away! I have seen enough of them.

Hilda.

Yes, but you have to write your approval on them.

Solness.

Write my approval on them? Never!

Hilda.

But the poor old man is lying at death’s door! Can’t you give him and his son this pleasure before they are parted? And perhaps he might get the commission to carry them out, too.

Solness.

Yes, that is just what he would get. He has made sure of that—has my fine gentleman!

Hilda.

Then, good heavens—if that is so—can’t you tell the least little bit of a lie for once in a way?

Solness.

A lie? [Raging.] Hilda—take those devil’s drawings out of my sight!

Hilda.

[Draws the portfolio a little nearer to herself.] Well well, well—don’t bite me.—You talk of trolls—but I think you go on like a troll yourself. [Looks round.] Where do you keep your pen and ink?

Solness.

There is nothing of the sort in here.

Hilda.

[Goes towards the door.] But in the office where that young lady is——

Solness.

Stay where you are, Hilda!—I ought to tell a lie, you say. Oh yes, for the sake of his old father I might well do that—for in my time I have crushed him, trodden him under foot——

Hilda.

Him, too?

Solness.

I needed room for myself. But this Ragnar—he must on no account be allowed to come to the front.

Hilda.

Poor fellow, there is surely no fear of that. If he has nothing in him——

Solness.

[Comes closer, looks at her, and whispers.] If Ragnar Brovik gets his chance, he will strikemeto the earth. Crush me—as I crushed his father.

Hilda.

Crush you? Has he the ability for that?

Solness.

Yes, you may depend upon it he has the ability! He is the younger generation that stands ready to knock at my door—to make an end of Halvard Solness.

Hilda.

[Looks at him with quiet reproach.] And yet you would bar him out. Fie, Mr. Solness!

Solness.

The fight I have been fighting has cost heart’s blood enough.—And I am afraid, too, that the helpers and servers will not obey me any longer.

Hilda.

Then you must go ahead without them. There is nothing else for it.

Solness.

It is hopeless, Hilda. The luck is bound to turn. A little sooner or a little later. Retribution is inexorable.

Hilda.

[In distress, putting her hands over her ears.] Don’t talk like that! Do you want to kill me? To take from me what is more than my life?

Solness.

And what is that?

Hilda.

The longing to see you great. To see you, with a wreath in your hand, high, high up upon a church-tower. [Calm again.] Come, out with your pencil now. You must have a pencil about you?

Solness.

[Takes out his pocket-book.] I have one here.

Hilda.

[Lays the portfolio on the sofa-table.] Very well. Now let us two sit down here, Mr. Solness. [Solnessseats himself at the table.Hildastands behind him, leaning over the back of the chair.] And now we will write on the drawings. We must write very, very nicely and cordially—for this horrid Ruar—or whatever his name is.

Solness.

[Writes a few words, turns his head and looks at her.] Tell me one thing, Hilda.

Hilda.

Yes!

Solness.

If you have been waiting for me all these ten years——

Hilda.

What then?

Solness.

Why have you never written to me? Then I could have answered you.

Hilda.

[Hastily.] No, no, no! That was just what I did not want.

Solness.

Why not?

Hilda.

I was afraid the whole thing might fall to pieces.—But we were going to write on the drawings, Mr. Solness.

Solness.

So we were.

Hilda.

[Bends forward and looks over his shoulder while he writes.] Mind now, kindly and cordially! Oh how I hate—how I hate this Ruald——

Solness.

[Writing.] Have you never really cared for any one, Hilda?

Hilda.

[Harshly.] What do you say?

Solness.

Have you never cared for any one?

Hilda.

For any one else, I suppose you mean?

Solness.

[Looks up at her.] For any one else, yes. Have you never? In all these ten years? Never?

Hilda.

Oh yes, now and then. When I was perfectly furious with you for not coming.

Solness.

Then you did take an interest in other people, too?

Hilda.

A little bit—for a week or so. Good heavens, Mr. Solness, you surely know how such things come about.

Solness.

Hilda—what is it you have come for?

Hilda.

Don’t waste time talking. The poor old man might go and die in the meantime.

Solness.

Answer me Hilda. What do you want of me?

Hilda.

I want my kingdom.

Solness.

H’m——

He gives a rapid glance towards the door on the left, and then goes on writing on the drawings. At the same momentMrs. Solnessenters; she has some packages in her hand.

Mrs. Solness.

Here are a few things I have got for you, Miss Wangel. The large parcels will be sent later on.

Hilda.

Oh, how very, very kind of you!

Mrs. Solness.

Only my simple duty. Nothing more than that.

Solness.

[Reading over what he has written.] Aline!

Mrs. Solness.

Yes?

Solness.

Did you notice whether the—the book-keeper was out there?

Mrs. Solness.

Yes, of course, she was there.

Solness.

[Puts the drawings in the portfolio.] H’m——

Mrs. Solness.

She was standing at the desk, as she always is—whenIgo through the room.

Solness.

[Rises.] Then I’ll give this to her, and tell her that——

Hilda.

[Takes the portfolio from him.] Oh, no, let me have the pleasure of doing that! [Goes to the door, but turns.] What is her name?

Solness.

Her name is Miss Fosli.

Hilda.

Pooh, that sounds so cold! Her Christian name, I mean?

Solness.

Kaia—I believe.

Hilda.

[Opens the door and calls out.] Kaia, come in here! Make haste! Mr. Solness wants to speak to you.

Kaia Foslidappears at the door.

Kaia.

[Looking at him in alarm.] Here I am——?

Hilda.

[Handing her the portfolio.] See here, Kaia! You can take this home; Mr. Solness has written on them now.

Kaia.

Oh, at last!

Solness.

Give them to the old man as soon as you can.

Kaia.

I will go straight home with them.

Solness.

Yes, do. Now Ragnar will have a chance of building for himself.

Kaia.

Oh, may he come and thank you for all——?

Solness.

[Harshly.] I won’t have any thanks! Tell himthatfrom me.

Kaia.

Yes, I will——

Solness.

And tell him at the same time that henceforward I do not require his services—nor yours either.

Kaia.

[Softly and quiveringly.] Not mine either?

Solness.

You will have other things to think of now, and to attend to; and that is a very good thing for you. Well, go home with the drawings now, Miss Fosli. At once! Do you hear?

Kaia.

[As before.] Yes, Mr. Solness.[She goes out.

Mrs. Solness.

Heavens! what deceitful eyes she has.

Solness.

She? That poor little creature?

Mrs. Solness.

Oh—I can see what I can see, Halvard.——Are you really dismissing them?

Solness.

Yes.

Mrs. Solness.

Her as well?

Solness.

Was not that what you wished?

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