No More Learning

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.

SOLNESS: Oh, was she? So we've found a use for one
of our three nurseries, after all, Aline, now that Hilda
occupies one of them.

MRS. SOLNESS: Yes, we have. Their emptiness is
dreadful.

SOLNESS: We'll get on far better after this, Aline.
Things will be easier.

MRS. SOLNESS: Because _she_ has come?