No More Learning

It's tremendously
thrilling when you fall and fall----

MRS. SOLNESS (_ready to go out_): I must go into town
now, Halvard. (_To_ HILDA) And I'll try to get one or
two things that may be of use to you.

HILDA: Oh, you dear, sweet Mrs. Solness. You're
frightfully kind----

MRS. SOLNESS: It's only my duty.

[MRS. SOLNESS _goes out_.

HILDA: What made her say that about her duty?
Doesn't it sting you?

SOLNESS: H'm! Haven't thought much about it.

HILDA: Yes it does. Why should she talk in that
way?
She might have said something really warm and
cordial, you understand.

SOLNESS: Is that how you'd like to have it?

HILDA: Yes, precisely. (_She wanders over to the
table and looks over_ RAGNAR'S _portfolio of drawings_. )
Are all these drawings yours?

SOLNESS: No; they're drawn by a young man I employ.

HILDA (_sits down_): Then I suppose he's frightfully
clever.

SOLNESS: Oh, he's not bad, for my purpose.

HILDA: I can't understand why you should be so
stupid as to go about teaching people. No one but yourself
should be allowed to build.

SOLNESS: I keep brooding on that very thought.
(_Calling her to the window_) Look over there; that's
my new house.

HILDA: It seems to have a tremendously high tower.
Are there nurseries in _that_ house, too?

SOLNESS: Three--as there are here. But there will
never be any child in them.