HERDAL: Someone is
knocking
at the door.
World's Greatest Books - Volume 17 - Poetry and Drama
DR. HERDAL: And what then?
SOLNESS: Then I dare say you fancy I'm an extremely
happy man--Solness, the master builder!
DR. HERDAL: You've certainly had luck on your side.
First of all, the home of your wife's family was burnt
down for you. A great grief to her--but _you_ rose on the
ruins. Yes, you've had luck.
SOLNESS: But luck must turn. The younger generation
will come knocking at my door. Then there's an
end of Halvard Solness, the master builder. (_A knock
at the door. Starts_. ) What's that?
DR.
HERDAL: Someone is knocking at the door.
SOLNESS (_loudly_): Come in!
[HILDA WANGEL _enters. She is dressed in a tourist
costume, skirt caught up for walking, and carries
a knapsack and alpenstock_.
HILDA: You don't recognise me?
SOLNESS (_doubtfully_): No. I must admit that--just
for the moment.
DR. HERDAL: But I recognise you, Miss Wangel.
SOLNESS: Wangel? You must be the doctor's daughter
up at Lysanger?
HILDA: Yes. Who else's daughter should I be?
[SOLNESS _calls in his wife, an old friend of_ MISS
WANGEL'S. HILDA _asks leave to stay the night_. MRS.
