SOLNESS: Because I seem to find a sort of--of salutary
self-sacrifice in allowing Aline to do me an injustice.
self-sacrifice in allowing Aline to do me an injustice.
World's Greatest Books - Volume 17 - Poetry and Drama
HERDAL _(smiling_): Well, one couldn't help noticing
that your wife--h'm------
SOLNESS: Well?
DR. HERDAL: That your wife isn't particularly fond
of this Miss Fosli. There's nothing of any sort in the
case, is there?
SOLNESS: Not on _my_ side.
DR. HERDAL: On hers, then?
SOLNESS: Hardly a fair question! Still, you know
she's engaged to Ragnar; but since she came here she
seemed to drift quite away from _him_.
DR. HERDAL: She drifted over to you, then?
SOLNESS: Yes, entirely. She quivers when she comes
near me.
DR. HERDAL: Why on earth don't you tell your wife
the rights of it?
SOLNESS: Because I seem to find a sort of--of salutary
self-sacrifice in allowing Aline to do me an injustice.
It's like paying off a little bit of a huge, immeasurable
debt I owe her. Oh, I know she thinks I'm ill--crazy.
And, I think, so do you.
DR. HERDAL: And what then?
SOLNESS: Then I dare say you fancy I'm an extremely
happy man--Solness, the master builder!
DR. HERDAL: You've certainly had luck on your side.
First of all, the home of your wife's family was burnt
down for you. A great grief to her--but _you_ rose on the
ruins. Yes, you've had luck.
SOLNESS: But luck must turn. The younger generation
will come knocking at my door. Then there's an
end of Halvard Solness, the master builder. (_A knock
at the door.
that your wife--h'm------
SOLNESS: Well?
DR. HERDAL: That your wife isn't particularly fond
of this Miss Fosli. There's nothing of any sort in the
case, is there?
SOLNESS: Not on _my_ side.
DR. HERDAL: On hers, then?
SOLNESS: Hardly a fair question! Still, you know
she's engaged to Ragnar; but since she came here she
seemed to drift quite away from _him_.
DR. HERDAL: She drifted over to you, then?
SOLNESS: Yes, entirely. She quivers when she comes
near me.
DR. HERDAL: Why on earth don't you tell your wife
the rights of it?
SOLNESS: Because I seem to find a sort of--of salutary
self-sacrifice in allowing Aline to do me an injustice.
It's like paying off a little bit of a huge, immeasurable
debt I owe her. Oh, I know she thinks I'm ill--crazy.
And, I think, so do you.
DR. HERDAL: And what then?
SOLNESS: Then I dare say you fancy I'm an extremely
happy man--Solness, the master builder!
DR. HERDAL: You've certainly had luck on your side.
First of all, the home of your wife's family was burnt
down for you. A great grief to her--but _you_ rose on the
ruins. Yes, you've had luck.
SOLNESS: But luck must turn. The younger generation
will come knocking at my door. Then there's an
end of Halvard Solness, the master builder. (_A knock
at the door.
