The Master Builder - LightNovelsOnl.com
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HILDA.
[Smiles.] Making fun of you, perhaps? I, too?
SOLNESS.
Yes, exactly. Making fun--of both of us. [Looks at her.] Is it long since you found out that I was married?
HILDA.
I have know it all along. Why do you ask me that?
SOLNESS.
[Lightly.] Oh, well, it just occurred to me. [Looks earnestly at her, and says in a low voice.] What have you come for?
HILDA.
I want my kingdom. The time is up.
SOLNESS.
[Laughs involuntarily.] What a girl you are!
HILDA.
[Gaily.] Out with my kingdom, Mr. Solness! [Raps with her fingers.] The kingdom on the table!
SOLNESS.
[Pus.h.i.+ng the rocking-chair nearer and sitting down.] Now, seriously speaking--what have you come for? What do you really want to do here?
HILDA.
Oh, first of all, I want to go round and look at all the things that you have built.
SOLNESS.
That will give you plenty of exercise.
HILDA.
Yes, I know you have built a tremendous lot.
SOLNESS.
I have indeed--especially of late years.
HILDA.
Many church-towers among the rest? Immensely high ones?
SOLNESS.
No. I build no more church-towers now. Nor churches either.
HILDA.
What do you build then?
SOLNESS.
Homes for human beings.
HILDA.
[Reflectively.] Couldn't you build a little--a little bit of a church-tower over these homes as well?
SOLNESS.
[Starting.] What do you mean by that?
HILDA.
I mean--something that points--points up into the free air. With the vane at a dizzy height.
SOLNESS.
[Pondering a little.] Strange that you should say that--for that is just what I am most anxious to do.
