No More Learning

SOLNESS: Well, but he has learnt nothing, except, of
course, to draw.

BROVIK: You had learnt little enough when you were
with me, and yet you cut me out. Now, how can you
have the heart to let me go to my grave without having
seen what Ragnar is fit for? And I'm anxious to see
him and Kaia married--before I go.

SOLNESS: I can't drag commissions down from the
moon for him.

BROVIK: He can have the building of that villa at Lovstrand,
if you would only approve of his plans, and
retire------

SOLNESS _(angrily):_ Retire? I?

BROVIK: From the agreement, that is.

SOLNESS: So that's it, is it? Halvard Solness to make
room for younger men! Never in the world!

BROVIK _(rising painfully_): Then I'm to die without
any certainty, any gleam of happiness or trust in Ragnar?

SOLNESS: You must pass out of life as best you can.
[BROVIK _reels_. RAGNAR _enters and takes his father
home.
_ SOLNESS _detains_ KAIA.

SOLNESS: You want to marry Ragnar.

KAIA: I cared for him once--before I met you. I
can't be separated from you------

SOLNESS: Marry him as much as you please. Make
him stay here, and then I can keep _you_, too, my dear
Kaia.

KAIA _(sinks down before him_): Oh, how unspeakably
good you are to me!

SOLNESS: Get up! For goodness' sake get up! I
think I hear someone.

[MRS. SOLNESS _enters. She is wasted with grief, but has
once been beautiful_.

MRS. SOLNESS _(with a glance at_ KAIA): Halvard!
I'm afraid I'm disturbing you.

SOLNESS: Not in the least.