No More Learning

HILDA: I don't want that stupid imaginary kingdom--I've
set my heart upon quite a different one.

SOLNESS (_gazing at her_): I seem--it's strange--to
have gone about all these years torturing myself with the
effort to recover something--some experience which I
seem to have forgotten. What a good thing it is that
you have come to me now. I'd begun to be so afraid--so
terribly afraid of the younger generation. One day
they'll thunder at my door.

HILDA: Then I'd go out and open it. Let them come
in to you on friendly terms, as it were.

SOLNESS: No, no, no! The younger generation--it
means retribution.

HILDA (_with quivering lips_): Can _I_ be of any use to
you, Mr. Solness?

SOLNESS: Yes, you can. For you, too, come--under
a new banner, it seems to me. Youth marshalled against
youth! _You_ are the very one I have most needed.
HILDA (_with happy, wondering eyes_): Oh, heavens, how
lovely!

SOLNESS: What?

HILDA: Then I _have_ my kingdom!

SOLNESS _(involuntarily)_: Hilda!

HILDA _(with quivering lips): Almost_--I was going to say.

[_She goes out_. SOLNESS _follows her_.


ACT II

SCENE. --_A small drawing-room in the house of_ SOLNESS. SOLNESS _is
examining_ RAGNAR BROVIK'S _drawings_. MRS. SOLNESS _is
attending to her flowers_.

SOLNESS: Is she still asleep?

MRS. SOLNESS _(looking at him_): Is it Miss Wangel
you are sitting there thinking about? She was up long
ago.