Six plays, p.75
Six Plays, page 75
MRS. SOLNESS
Yes, I hear people talk of that; but it is utterly impossible——
SOLNESS [Vehemently.]
Impossible—impossible, yes! But there I stood all the same!
MRS. SOLNESS
Oh, how can you say so, Halvard? Why, you can’t even bear to go out on the second-storey balcony here. You have always been like that.
SOLNESS
You may perhaps see something different this evening.
MRS. SOLNESS [In alarm.]
No, no, no! Please God I shall never see that. I will write at once to the doctor—and I am sure he won’t let you do it.
SOLNESS
Why, Aline——!
MRS. SOLNESS
Oh, you know you’re ill, Halvard. This proves it! Oh God—Oh
God!
[She goes hastily out to the right.]
HILDA [Looks intently at him.]
Is it so, or is it not?
SOLNESS
That I turn dizzy?
HILDA
That my master builder dares not—cannot—climb as high as he builds?
SOLNESS
Is that the way you look at it?
HILDA
Yes.
SOLNESS
I believe there is scarcely a corner in me that is safe from you.
HILDA [Looks towards the bow-window.]
Up there, then. Right up there——
SOLNESS [Approaches her.]
You might have the topmost room in the tower, Hilda—there you might live like a princess.
HILDA [Indefinably, between earnest and jest.]
Yes, that is what you promised me.
SOLNESS
Did I really?
HILDA
Fie, Mr. Solness! You said I should be a princess, and that you would give me a kingdom. And then you went and——Well!
SOLNESS [Cautiously.]
Are you quite certain that this is not a dream—a fancy, that has fixed itself in your mind?
HILDA [Sharply.]
Do you mean that you did not do it?
SOLNESS
I scarcely know myself.
[More softly.]
But now I know so much for certain, that I——
HILDA
That you——? Say it at once!
SOLNESS
——that I ought to have done it.
HILDA [Exclaims with animation.]
Don’t tell me you can ever be dizzy!
SOLNESS
This evening, then, we will hang up the wreath—Princess Hilda.
HILDA [With a bitter curve of the lips.]
Over your new home, yes.
SOLNESS
Over the new house, which will never be a home for me.
[He goes out through the garden door.]
HILDA [Looks straight in front of her with a far-away expression and whispers to herself. The only words audible are:]
——frightfully thrilling——
ACT THIRD
The large, broad veranda of SOLNESS’s dwelling-house. Part of the house, with outer door leading to the veranda, is seen to the left. A railing along the veranda to the right. At the back, from the end of the veranda, a flight of steps leads down to the garden below.Tall old trees in the garden spread their branches over the veranda and towards the house. Far to the right, in among the trees, a glimpse is caught of the lower part of the new villa, with scaffolding round so much as is seen of the tower. In the background the garden is bounded by an old wooden fence. Outside the fence, a street with low, tumble-down cottages.
Evening sky with sun-lit clouds.
On the veranda, a garden bench stands along the wall of the house, and in front of the bench a long table. On the other side of the table, an arm-chair and some stools. All the furniture is of wicker-work.
MRS. SOLNESS, wrapped in a large white crape shawl, sits resting in the arm-chair and gazes over to the right. Shortly after, HILDA WANGEL comes up the flight of steps from the garden. She is dressed as in the last act, and wears her hat. She has in her bodice a little nosegay of small common flowers.
MRS. SOLNESS [Turning her head a little.]
Have you been round the garden, Miss Wangel?
HILDA
Yes, I have been taking a look at it.
MRS. SOLNESS
And found some flowers too, I see.
HILDA
Yes, indeed! There are such heaps of them in among the bushes.
MRS. SOLNESS
Are there really? Still? You see I scarcely ever go there.
HILDA [Closer.]
What! Don’t you take a run down into the garden every day, then?
MRS. SOLNESS [With a faint smile.]
I don’t “run” anywhere, nowadays.
HILDA
Well, but do you not go down now and then to look at all the lovely things there?
MRS. SOLNESS
It has all become so strange to me. I am almost afraid to see it again.
HILDA
Your own garden!
MRS. SOLNESS
I don’t feel that it is mine any longer.
HILDA
What do you mean——?
MRS. SOLNESS
No, no, it is not—not as it was in my mother’s and father’s time. They have taken away so much—so much of the garden, Miss Wangel. Fancy—they have parcelled it out—and built houses for strangers—people that I don’t know. And they can sit and look in upon me from their windows.
HILDA [With a bright expression.]
Mrs. Solness!
MRS. SOLNESS
Yes!
HILDA
May I stay here with you a little?
MRS. SOLNESS
Yes, by all means, if you care to. [HILDA moves a stool close to the arm-chair and sits down.]
HILDA
Ah—here one can sit and sun oneself like a cat.
MRS. SOLNESS [Lays her hand softly on HILDA’s neck.]
It is nice of you to be willing to sit with me. I thought you wanted to go in to my husband.
HILDA
What should I want with him?
MRS. SOLNESS
To help him, I thought.
HILDA
No, thank you. And besides, he is not in. He is over there with his workmen. But he looked so fierce that I did not dare to talk to him.
MRS. SOLNESS
He is so kind and gentle in reality.
HILDA
He!
MRS. SOLNESS
You do not really know him yet, Miss Wangel.
HILDA [Looks affectionately at her.]
Are you pleased at the thought of moving over to the new house?
MRS. SOLNESS
I ought to be pleased; for it is what Halvard wants——
HILDA
Oh, not just on that account, surely.
MRS. SOLNESS
Yes, yes, Miss Wangel; for it is only my duty to submit myself to him. But very often it is dreadfully difficult to force one’s mind to obedience.
HILDA
Yes, that must be difficult indeed.
MRS. SOLNESS
I can tell you it is—when one has so many faults as I have——
HILDA
When one has gone through so much trouble as you have——
MRS. SOLNESS
How do you know about that?
HILDA
Your husband told me.
MRS. SOLNESS
To me he very seldom mentions these things.—Yes, I can tell you I have gone through more than enough trouble in my life, Miss Wangel.
HILDA [Looks sympathetically at her and nods slowly.]
Poor Mrs. Solness. First of all there was the fire——
MRS. SOLNESS [With a sigh.]
Yes, everything that was mine was burnt.
HILDA
And then came what was worse.
MRS. SOLNESS [Looking inquiringly at her.]
Worse?
HILDA
The worst of all.
MRS. SOLNESS
What do you mean?
HILDA [Softly.]
You lost the two little boys.
MRS. SOLNESS
Oh yes, the boys. But, you see, that was a thing apart. That was a dispensation of Providence; and in such things one can only bow in submission—yes, and be thankful, too.
HILDA
Then you are so?
MRS. SOLNESS
Not always, I am sorry to say. I know well enough that it is my duty—but all the same I cannot.
HILDA
No, no, I think that is only natural.
MRS. SOLNESS
And often and often I have to remind myself that it was a righteous punishment for me——
HILDA
Why?
MRS. SOLNESS
Because I had not fortitude enough in misfortune.
HILDA
But I don’t see that——
MRS. SOLNESS
Oh, no, no, Miss Wangel—do not talk to me any more about the two little boys. We ought to feel nothing but joy in thinking of them; for they are so happy—so happy now. No, it is the small losses in life that cut one to the heart—the loss of all that other people look upon as almost nothing.
HILDA [Lays her arms on MRS. SOLNESS’s knees, and looks up at her affectionately.]
Dear Mrs. Solness—tell me what things you mean!
MRS. SOLNESS
As I say, only little things. All the old portraits were burnt on the
walls. And all the old silk dresses were burnt, that had belonged
to the family for generations and generations. And all mother’s
and grandmother’s lace—that was burnt, too. And only think—
the jewels, too!
[Sadly.]
And then all the dolls.
HILDA
The dolls?
MRS. SOLNESS [Choking with tears.]
I had nine lovely dolls.
HILDA
And they were burnt too?
MRS. SOLNESS
All of them. Oh, it was hard—so hard for me.
HILDA
Had you put by all these dolls, then? Ever since you were little?
MRS. SOLNESS
I had not put them by. The dolls and I had gone on living together.
HILDA
After you were grown up?
MRS. SOLNESS
Yes, long after that.
HILDA
After you were married, too?
MRS. SOLNESS
Oh yes, indeed. So long as he did not see it——. But they were all burnt up, poor things. No one thought of saving them. Oh, it is so miserable to think of. You mustn’t laugh at me, Miss Wangel.
HILDA
I am not laughing in the least.
MRS. SOLNESS
For you see, in a certain sense, there was life in them, too. I carried them under my heart—like little unborn children.
DR. HERDAL, with his hat in his hand, comes out through the door, and observes MRS. SOLNESS and HILDA.
DR. HERDAL
Well, Mrs. Solness, so you are sitting out here catching cold?
MRS. SOLNESS
I find it so pleasant and warm here to-day.
DR. HERDAL
Yes, yes. But is there anything going on here? I got a note from you.
MRS. SOLNESS [Rises.]
Yes, there is something I must talk to you about.
DR. HERDAL
Very well; then perhaps we had better go in.
[To HILDA.]
Still in your mountaineering dress, Miss Wangel?
HILDA [Gaily, rising.]
Yes—in full uniform! But to-day I am not going climbing and breaking my neck. We two will stop quietly below and look on, doctor.
DR. HERDAL
What are we to look on at?
MRS. SOLNESS [Softly, in alarm, to HILDA.]
Hush, hush—for God’s sake! He is coming! Try to get that idea out of his head. And let us be friends, Miss Wangel. Don’t you think we can?
HILDA [Throws her arms impetuously round MRS. SOLNESS’s neck.]
Oh, if we only could!
MRS. SOLNESS [Gently disengages herself.]
There, there, there! There he comes, doctor. Let me have a word with you.
DR. HERDAL
Is it about him!
MRS. SOLNESS
Yes, to be sure it’s about him. Do come in.
She and the doctor enter the house. Next moment SOLNESS comes up from the garden by the flight of steps. A serious look comes over HILDA’s face.
SOLNESS [Glances at the house-door, which is closed cautiously from within.]
Have you noticed, Hilda, that as soon as I come, she goes?
HILDA
I have noticed that as soon as you come, you make her go.
SOLNESS
Perhaps so. But I cannot help it.
[Looks observantly at her.]
Are you cold, Hilda? I think you look cold.
HILDA
I have just come up out of a tomb.
SOLNESS
What do you mean by that?
HILDA
That I have got chilled through and through, Mr. Solness.
SOLNESS [Slowly.]
I believe I understand——
HILDA
What brings you up here just now?
SOLNESS
I caught sight of you from over there.
HILDA
But then you must have seen her too?
SOLNESS
I knew she would go at once if I came.
HILDA
Is it very painful for you that she should avoid you in this way?
SOLNESS
In one sense, it’s a relief as well.
HILDA
Not to have her before your eyes?
SOLNESS
Yes.
HILDA
Not to be always seeing how heavily the loss of the little boys weighs upon her?
SOLNESS
Yes. Chiefly that.
[HILDA drifts across the veranda with her hands behind her back, stops at
the railing and looks out over the garden.]
SOLNESS [After a short pause.]
Did you have a long talk with her?
[HILDA stands motionless and does not answer.]
SOLNESS
Had you a long talk, I asked?
[HILDA is silent as before.]
SOLNESS
What was she talking about, Hilda?
[HILDA continues silent.]
SOLNESS
Poor Aline! I suppose it was about the little boys.
HILDA [A nervous shudder runs through her; then she nods hurriedly once or twice.]
SOLNESS
She will never get over it—never in this world.
[Approaches her.]
Now you are standing there again like a statue; just as you stood
last night.
HILDA [Turns and looks at him, with great serious eyes.]
I am going away.
SOLNESS [Sharply.]
Going away!
HILDA
Yes.
SOLNESS
But I won’t allow you to!
HILDA
What am I to do here now?
SOLNESS
Simply to be here, Hilda!
HILDA [Measures him with a look.]
Oh, thank you. You know it wouldn’t end there.
SOLNESS [Heedlessly.]
So much the better!
HILDA [Vehemently.]
I cannot do any harm to one whom I know! I can’t take away anything that belongs to her.
SOLNESS
Who wants you to do that?
HILDA [Continuing.]
A stranger, yes! for that is quite a different thing! A person I have never set eyes on. But one that I have come into close contact with——! Oh no! Oh no! Ugh!
SOLNESS
Yes, but I never proposed you should.
HILDA
Oh, Mr. Solness, you know quite well what the end of it would be. And that is why I am going away.
SOLNESS
And what is to become of me when you are gone? What shall I have to live for then?—After that?
HILDA [With the indefinable look in her eyes.]
It is surely not so hard for you. You have your duties to her. Live for those duties.
SOLNESS
Too late. These powers—these—these——
HILDA
——devils——
SOLNESS
Yes, these devils! And the troll within me as well—they have
Yes, I hear people talk of that; but it is utterly impossible——
SOLNESS [Vehemently.]
Impossible—impossible, yes! But there I stood all the same!
MRS. SOLNESS
Oh, how can you say so, Halvard? Why, you can’t even bear to go out on the second-storey balcony here. You have always been like that.
SOLNESS
You may perhaps see something different this evening.
MRS. SOLNESS [In alarm.]
No, no, no! Please God I shall never see that. I will write at once to the doctor—and I am sure he won’t let you do it.
SOLNESS
Why, Aline——!
MRS. SOLNESS
Oh, you know you’re ill, Halvard. This proves it! Oh God—Oh
God!
[She goes hastily out to the right.]
HILDA [Looks intently at him.]
Is it so, or is it not?
SOLNESS
That I turn dizzy?
HILDA
That my master builder dares not—cannot—climb as high as he builds?
SOLNESS
Is that the way you look at it?
HILDA
Yes.
SOLNESS
I believe there is scarcely a corner in me that is safe from you.
HILDA [Looks towards the bow-window.]
Up there, then. Right up there——
SOLNESS [Approaches her.]
You might have the topmost room in the tower, Hilda—there you might live like a princess.
HILDA [Indefinably, between earnest and jest.]
Yes, that is what you promised me.
SOLNESS
Did I really?
HILDA
Fie, Mr. Solness! You said I should be a princess, and that you would give me a kingdom. And then you went and——Well!
SOLNESS [Cautiously.]
Are you quite certain that this is not a dream—a fancy, that has fixed itself in your mind?
HILDA [Sharply.]
Do you mean that you did not do it?
SOLNESS
I scarcely know myself.
[More softly.]
But now I know so much for certain, that I——
HILDA
That you——? Say it at once!
SOLNESS
——that I ought to have done it.
HILDA [Exclaims with animation.]
Don’t tell me you can ever be dizzy!
SOLNESS
This evening, then, we will hang up the wreath—Princess Hilda.
HILDA [With a bitter curve of the lips.]
Over your new home, yes.
SOLNESS
Over the new house, which will never be a home for me.
[He goes out through the garden door.]
HILDA [Looks straight in front of her with a far-away expression and whispers to herself. The only words audible are:]
——frightfully thrilling——
ACT THIRD
The large, broad veranda of SOLNESS’s dwelling-house. Part of the house, with outer door leading to the veranda, is seen to the left. A railing along the veranda to the right. At the back, from the end of the veranda, a flight of steps leads down to the garden below.Tall old trees in the garden spread their branches over the veranda and towards the house. Far to the right, in among the trees, a glimpse is caught of the lower part of the new villa, with scaffolding round so much as is seen of the tower. In the background the garden is bounded by an old wooden fence. Outside the fence, a street with low, tumble-down cottages.
Evening sky with sun-lit clouds.
On the veranda, a garden bench stands along the wall of the house, and in front of the bench a long table. On the other side of the table, an arm-chair and some stools. All the furniture is of wicker-work.
MRS. SOLNESS, wrapped in a large white crape shawl, sits resting in the arm-chair and gazes over to the right. Shortly after, HILDA WANGEL comes up the flight of steps from the garden. She is dressed as in the last act, and wears her hat. She has in her bodice a little nosegay of small common flowers.
MRS. SOLNESS [Turning her head a little.]
Have you been round the garden, Miss Wangel?
HILDA
Yes, I have been taking a look at it.
MRS. SOLNESS
And found some flowers too, I see.
HILDA
Yes, indeed! There are such heaps of them in among the bushes.
MRS. SOLNESS
Are there really? Still? You see I scarcely ever go there.
HILDA [Closer.]
What! Don’t you take a run down into the garden every day, then?
MRS. SOLNESS [With a faint smile.]
I don’t “run” anywhere, nowadays.
HILDA
Well, but do you not go down now and then to look at all the lovely things there?
MRS. SOLNESS
It has all become so strange to me. I am almost afraid to see it again.
HILDA
Your own garden!
MRS. SOLNESS
I don’t feel that it is mine any longer.
HILDA
What do you mean——?
MRS. SOLNESS
No, no, it is not—not as it was in my mother’s and father’s time. They have taken away so much—so much of the garden, Miss Wangel. Fancy—they have parcelled it out—and built houses for strangers—people that I don’t know. And they can sit and look in upon me from their windows.
HILDA [With a bright expression.]
Mrs. Solness!
MRS. SOLNESS
Yes!
HILDA
May I stay here with you a little?
MRS. SOLNESS
Yes, by all means, if you care to. [HILDA moves a stool close to the arm-chair and sits down.]
HILDA
Ah—here one can sit and sun oneself like a cat.
MRS. SOLNESS [Lays her hand softly on HILDA’s neck.]
It is nice of you to be willing to sit with me. I thought you wanted to go in to my husband.
HILDA
What should I want with him?
MRS. SOLNESS
To help him, I thought.
HILDA
No, thank you. And besides, he is not in. He is over there with his workmen. But he looked so fierce that I did not dare to talk to him.
MRS. SOLNESS
He is so kind and gentle in reality.
HILDA
He!
MRS. SOLNESS
You do not really know him yet, Miss Wangel.
HILDA [Looks affectionately at her.]
Are you pleased at the thought of moving over to the new house?
MRS. SOLNESS
I ought to be pleased; for it is what Halvard wants——
HILDA
Oh, not just on that account, surely.
MRS. SOLNESS
Yes, yes, Miss Wangel; for it is only my duty to submit myself to him. But very often it is dreadfully difficult to force one’s mind to obedience.
HILDA
Yes, that must be difficult indeed.
MRS. SOLNESS
I can tell you it is—when one has so many faults as I have——
HILDA
When one has gone through so much trouble as you have——
MRS. SOLNESS
How do you know about that?
HILDA
Your husband told me.
MRS. SOLNESS
To me he very seldom mentions these things.—Yes, I can tell you I have gone through more than enough trouble in my life, Miss Wangel.
HILDA [Looks sympathetically at her and nods slowly.]
Poor Mrs. Solness. First of all there was the fire——
MRS. SOLNESS [With a sigh.]
Yes, everything that was mine was burnt.
HILDA
And then came what was worse.
MRS. SOLNESS [Looking inquiringly at her.]
Worse?
HILDA
The worst of all.
MRS. SOLNESS
What do you mean?
HILDA [Softly.]
You lost the two little boys.
MRS. SOLNESS
Oh yes, the boys. But, you see, that was a thing apart. That was a dispensation of Providence; and in such things one can only bow in submission—yes, and be thankful, too.
HILDA
Then you are so?
MRS. SOLNESS
Not always, I am sorry to say. I know well enough that it is my duty—but all the same I cannot.
HILDA
No, no, I think that is only natural.
MRS. SOLNESS
And often and often I have to remind myself that it was a righteous punishment for me——
HILDA
Why?
MRS. SOLNESS
Because I had not fortitude enough in misfortune.
HILDA
But I don’t see that——
MRS. SOLNESS
Oh, no, no, Miss Wangel—do not talk to me any more about the two little boys. We ought to feel nothing but joy in thinking of them; for they are so happy—so happy now. No, it is the small losses in life that cut one to the heart—the loss of all that other people look upon as almost nothing.
HILDA [Lays her arms on MRS. SOLNESS’s knees, and looks up at her affectionately.]
Dear Mrs. Solness—tell me what things you mean!
MRS. SOLNESS
As I say, only little things. All the old portraits were burnt on the
walls. And all the old silk dresses were burnt, that had belonged
to the family for generations and generations. And all mother’s
and grandmother’s lace—that was burnt, too. And only think—
the jewels, too!
[Sadly.]
And then all the dolls.
HILDA
The dolls?
MRS. SOLNESS [Choking with tears.]
I had nine lovely dolls.
HILDA
And they were burnt too?
MRS. SOLNESS
All of them. Oh, it was hard—so hard for me.
HILDA
Had you put by all these dolls, then? Ever since you were little?
MRS. SOLNESS
I had not put them by. The dolls and I had gone on living together.
HILDA
After you were grown up?
MRS. SOLNESS
Yes, long after that.
HILDA
After you were married, too?
MRS. SOLNESS
Oh yes, indeed. So long as he did not see it——. But they were all burnt up, poor things. No one thought of saving them. Oh, it is so miserable to think of. You mustn’t laugh at me, Miss Wangel.
HILDA
I am not laughing in the least.
MRS. SOLNESS
For you see, in a certain sense, there was life in them, too. I carried them under my heart—like little unborn children.
DR. HERDAL, with his hat in his hand, comes out through the door, and observes MRS. SOLNESS and HILDA.
DR. HERDAL
Well, Mrs. Solness, so you are sitting out here catching cold?
MRS. SOLNESS
I find it so pleasant and warm here to-day.
DR. HERDAL
Yes, yes. But is there anything going on here? I got a note from you.
MRS. SOLNESS [Rises.]
Yes, there is something I must talk to you about.
DR. HERDAL
Very well; then perhaps we had better go in.
[To HILDA.]
Still in your mountaineering dress, Miss Wangel?
HILDA [Gaily, rising.]
Yes—in full uniform! But to-day I am not going climbing and breaking my neck. We two will stop quietly below and look on, doctor.
DR. HERDAL
What are we to look on at?
MRS. SOLNESS [Softly, in alarm, to HILDA.]
Hush, hush—for God’s sake! He is coming! Try to get that idea out of his head. And let us be friends, Miss Wangel. Don’t you think we can?
HILDA [Throws her arms impetuously round MRS. SOLNESS’s neck.]
Oh, if we only could!
MRS. SOLNESS [Gently disengages herself.]
There, there, there! There he comes, doctor. Let me have a word with you.
DR. HERDAL
Is it about him!
MRS. SOLNESS
Yes, to be sure it’s about him. Do come in.
She and the doctor enter the house. Next moment SOLNESS comes up from the garden by the flight of steps. A serious look comes over HILDA’s face.
SOLNESS [Glances at the house-door, which is closed cautiously from within.]
Have you noticed, Hilda, that as soon as I come, she goes?
HILDA
I have noticed that as soon as you come, you make her go.
SOLNESS
Perhaps so. But I cannot help it.
[Looks observantly at her.]
Are you cold, Hilda? I think you look cold.
HILDA
I have just come up out of a tomb.
SOLNESS
What do you mean by that?
HILDA
That I have got chilled through and through, Mr. Solness.
SOLNESS [Slowly.]
I believe I understand——
HILDA
What brings you up here just now?
SOLNESS
I caught sight of you from over there.
HILDA
But then you must have seen her too?
SOLNESS
I knew she would go at once if I came.
HILDA
Is it very painful for you that she should avoid you in this way?
SOLNESS
In one sense, it’s a relief as well.
HILDA
Not to have her before your eyes?
SOLNESS
Yes.
HILDA
Not to be always seeing how heavily the loss of the little boys weighs upon her?
SOLNESS
Yes. Chiefly that.
[HILDA drifts across the veranda with her hands behind her back, stops at
the railing and looks out over the garden.]
SOLNESS [After a short pause.]
Did you have a long talk with her?
[HILDA stands motionless and does not answer.]
SOLNESS
Had you a long talk, I asked?
[HILDA is silent as before.]
SOLNESS
What was she talking about, Hilda?
[HILDA continues silent.]
SOLNESS
Poor Aline! I suppose it was about the little boys.
HILDA [A nervous shudder runs through her; then she nods hurriedly once or twice.]
SOLNESS
She will never get over it—never in this world.
[Approaches her.]
Now you are standing there again like a statue; just as you stood
last night.
HILDA [Turns and looks at him, with great serious eyes.]
I am going away.
SOLNESS [Sharply.]
Going away!
HILDA
Yes.
SOLNESS
But I won’t allow you to!
HILDA
What am I to do here now?
SOLNESS
Simply to be here, Hilda!
HILDA [Measures him with a look.]
Oh, thank you. You know it wouldn’t end there.
SOLNESS [Heedlessly.]
So much the better!
HILDA [Vehemently.]
I cannot do any harm to one whom I know! I can’t take away anything that belongs to her.
SOLNESS
Who wants you to do that?
HILDA [Continuing.]
A stranger, yes! for that is quite a different thing! A person I have never set eyes on. But one that I have come into close contact with——! Oh no! Oh no! Ugh!
SOLNESS
Yes, but I never proposed you should.
HILDA
Oh, Mr. Solness, you know quite well what the end of it would be. And that is why I am going away.
SOLNESS
And what is to become of me when you are gone? What shall I have to live for then?—After that?
HILDA [With the indefinable look in her eyes.]
It is surely not so hard for you. You have your duties to her. Live for those duties.
SOLNESS
Too late. These powers—these—these——
HILDA
——devils——
SOLNESS
Yes, these devils! And the troll within me as well—they have
