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SOLNESS.
[Points imperatively to a spot on the floor.] Come here! At once!
KAIA.
[Hesitatingly.] Yes.
SOLNESS.
[As before.] Nearer!
KAIA.
[Obeying.] What do you want with me?
SOLNESS.
[Looks at her for a while.] Is it you I have to thank for all this?
KAIA.
No, no, don't think that!
SOLNESS.
But confess now--you want to get married!
KAIA.
[Softly.] Ragnar and I have been engaged for four or five years, and so--
SOLNESS.
And so you think it time there were an end of it. Is not that so?
KAIA.
Ragnar and Uncle say I must. So I suppose I shall have to give in.
SOLNESS.
[More gently.] Kaia, don't you really care a little bit for Ragnar, too?
KAIA.
I cared very much for Ragnar once--before I came here to you.
SOLNESS.
But you don't now? Not in the least?
KAIA.
[Pa.s.sionately, clasping hands and holding them out towards him.] Oh, you know very well there is only one person I care for now! I shall never care for any one else.
SOLNESS.
Yes, you say that. And yet you go away from me--leave me alone here with everything on my hands.
KAIA.
But could I not stay with you, even if Ragnar--?
SOLNESS.
[Repudiating the idea.] No, no, that is quite impossible. If Ragnar leaves me and starts work on his own account, then of course he will need you himself.
KAIA.
[Wringing her hands.] Oh, I feel as if I could not be separated from you! It's quite, quite impossible!
SOLNESS.
Then be sure you get those foolish notions out of Ragnar's head. Marry him as much as you please--[Alters his tone.] I mean--don't let him throw up his good situation with me. For then I can keep you too, my dear Kaia.
KAIA.
Oh yes, how lovely that would be, if it could only be managed!
