No More Learning

SOLNESS: A robust conscience.

HILDA (_radiant_): I know what you're going to build
next.

SOLNESS: What?

HILDA: The castle--_my_ castle. Build it for me this
moment. The ten years are up. Out with my castle,
Mr. Solness! It shall stand on a very great height, so
that I can see far--far around. We shall build--we two
together--the very loveliest thing in all the world!

SOLNESS: Hilda, tell me what it is.

HILDA: Builders are such very, very stupid people----

SOLNESS: No doubt--but tell me what we two are to
build together?

HILDA: Castles in the air! So easy to build (_scornfully_),
especially for builders who have a--a dizzy conscience.

SOLNESS: We shall build one--with a firm foundation.
(RAGNAR _enters with the wreath_) Have _you_ brought
the wreath, Ragnar? Then I suppose your father's better?
Wasn't he cheered by what I wrote him?

RAGNAR: It came too late--he was unconscious. He
had had a stroke.

SOLNESS: Go home to him. Give _me_ the wreath.

RAGNAR: You don't mean that you yourself--no--I'll
stop.

HILDA: Mr. Solness, I will stand here and look at you.

[SOLNESS _takes the wreath and goes down through the
garden. _ MRS. SOLNESS, _in an agony of apprehension,
re-enters and sends_ RAGNAR _to fetch her husband
back from the new building. She returns indoors. _

SOLNESS (_re-entering_): Oh, it's _you_, Hilda! I was
afraid it was Aline or the doctor that wanted me.