ALINE SOLNESS, _his wife_.
DOCTOR HERDAL, _physician_.
KNUT BROVIK, _formerly an architect, now in_ SOLNESS’S employment.
RAGNAR BROVIK, _his son, draughtsman_.
KAIA FOSLI, _his niece, book-keeper_.
MISS HILDA WANGEL.
_Some Ladies._
_A Crowd in the street._
_The action passes in and about SOLNESS’S house._
THE MASTER BUILDER.
PLAY IN THREE ACTS.
-------
ACT FIRST.
_A plainly-furnished work-room in the house of_ HALVARD SOLNESS.
_Folding doors on the left lead out to the hall. On the right is
the door leading to the inner rooms of the house. At the back is
an open door into the draughtsmen’s office. In front, on the left,
a desk with books, papers and writing materials. Further back than
the folding door, a stove. In the right-hand corner, a sofa, a
table, and one or two chairs. On the table a water-bottle and
glass. A smaller table, with a rocking-chair and arm-chair, in
front on the right. Lighted lamps, with shades, on the table in
the draughtsmen’s office, on the table in the corner, and on the
desk._
_In the draughtsmen’s office sit_ KNUT BROVIK _and his son_ RAGNAR,
_occupied with plans and calculations. At the desk in the outer
office stands_ KAIA FOSLI, _writing in the ledger._ KNUT BROVICK
_is a spare old man with white hair and beard. He wears a rather
threadbare but well-brushed black coat, spectacles, and a somewhat
discoloured white neckcloth._ RAGNAR BROVIK _is a well-dressed,
light-haired man in his thirties, with a slight stoop._ KAIA FOSLI
_is a slightly built girl, a little over twenty, carefully
dressed, and delicate-looking. She has a green shade over her
eyes.—All three go on working for some time in silence._
KNUT BROVIK.
[_Rises suddenly, as if in distress, from the table; breathes heavily
and laboriously as he comes forward into the doorway._] No, I can’t bear
it much longer!
KAIA.
[_Going up to him._] You are feeling very ill this evening, are you not,
uncle?
BROVIK.
Oh, I seem to get worse every day.
RAGNAR.
[_Has risen and advances._] You ought to go home, father. Try to get a
little sleep——
BROVIK.
[_Impatiently._] Go to bed, I suppose? Would you have me stifled
outright?
KAIA.
Then take a little walk.
RAGNAR.
Yes, do. I will come with you.
BROVIK.
[_With warmth._] I will not go till he comes! I am determined to have it
out this evening with—[_in a tone of suppressed bitterness_]—with
him—with the chief.
KAIA.
[_Anxiously._] Oh no, uncle,—do wait awhile before doing _that_!
RAGNAR.
Yes, better wait, father!
BROVIK.
[_Draws his breath laboriously._] Ha—ha—! _I_ haven’t much time for
waiting.
KAIA.
[_Listening._] Hush! I hear him on the stairs.
[_All three go back to their work. A short silence._
HALVARD SOLNESS _comes in through the hall door. He is a man no longer
young, but healthy and vigorous, with close-cut curly hair, dark
moustache and dark thick eyebrows. He wears a greyish-green buttoned
jacket with an upstanding collar and broad lappels. On his head he
wears a soft grey felt hat, and he has one or two light portfolios
under his arm._
SOLNESS.
[_Near the door, points towards the draughtsmen’s office, and asks in a
whisper_:] Are they gone?
KAIA.
[_Softly, shaking her head._] No.
[_She takes the shade off her eyes._ SOLNESS _crosses the
room, throws his hat on a chair, places the portfolios on
the table by the sofa, and approaches the desk again._ KAIA
_goes on writing without intermission, but seems nervous and
uneasy._
SOLNESS.
[_Aloud._] What is that you are entering, Miss Fosli?
KAIA.
[_Starts._] Oh, it is only something that——
SOLNESS.
Let me look at it, Miss Fosli. [_Bends over her, pretends to be looking
into the ledger, and whispers_:] Kaia!
KAIA.
[_Softly, still writing._] Well?
SOLNESS.
Why do you always take that shade off when I come?
KAIA.
[_As before._] I look so ugly with it on.
SOLNESS.
[_Smiling._] Then you don’t like to look ugly, Kaia?
KAIA.
[_Half glancing up at him._] Not for all the world. Not in _your_ eyes.
SOLNESS.
[_Strokes her hair gently._] Poor, poor little Kaia——
KAIA.
[_Bending her head._] Hush—they can hear you!
[SOLNESS _strolls across the room to the right, turns and
pauses at the door of the draughtsmen’s office._
SOLNESS.
Has any one been here for me?
RAGNAR.
[_Rising._] Yes, the young couple who want a villa built, out at
Lövstrand.
SOLNESS.
[_Growling._] Oh, _those_ two! _They_ must wait. I am not quite clear
about the plans yet.
RAGNAR.
[_Advancing, with some hesitation._] They were very anxious to have the
drawings at once.
SOLNESS.
[_As before._] Yes, of course—so they all are.
BROVIK.
[_Looks up._] They say they are longing so to get into a house of their
own.
SOLNESS.
Yes, yes—we know all _that_! And so they are content to take whatever is
offered them. They get a—a roof over their heads—an address—but nothing
to call a home. No thank you! In that case, let them apply to somebody
else. Tell them _that_, the next time they call.
BROVIK.
[_Pushes his glasses up on to his forehead and looks in astonishment at
him._] To somebody else? Are you prepared to give up the commission?
SOLNESS.
[_Impatiently._] Yes, yes, yes, devil take it! If that is to be the way
of it——. Rather that, than build away at random. [_Vehemently._]
Besides, I know very little about these people as yet.
BROVIK.
The people are safe enough. Ragnar knows them. He is a friend of the
family. Perfectly safe people.
SOLNESS.
Oh, safe—safe enough! That is not at all what I mean. Good lord—don’t
_you_ understand me either? [_Angrily._] I won’t have anything to do
with these strangers. They may apply to whom they please, so far as I am
concerned.
BROVIK.
[_Rising._] Do you really mean _that_?
SOLNESS.
[_Sulkily._] Yes I do.—For once in a way.
[_He comes forward._
[BROVIK _exchanges a glance with_ RAGNAR, _who makes a warning
gesture. Then_ BROVIK _comes into the front room._
BROVIK.
May I have a few words with you?
SOLNESS.
Certainly.
BROVIK.
[_To KAIA._] Just go in there for a moment, KAIA.
KAIA.
[_Uneasily._] Oh, but uncle——
BROVIK.
Do as I say, child. And shut the door after you.
[KAIA _goes reluctantly into the draughtsmen’s office, glances
anxiously and imploringly at_ SOLNESS, _and shuts the door._
BROVIK.
[_Lowering his voice a little._] I don’t want the poor children to know
how ill I am.
SOLNESS.
Yes, you have been looking very poorly of late.
BROVIK.
It will soon be all over with me. My strength is ebbing—from day to day.
SOLNESS.
Won’t you sit down?
BROVIK.
Thanks—may I?
SOLNESS.
[_Placing the arm-chair more conveniently._] Here—take this chair.—And
now?
BROVIK.
[_Has seated himself with difficulty._] Well, you see, it’s about
Ragnar. That is what weighs most upon me. What is to become of him?
SOLNESS.
Of course your son will stay with me as long as ever he likes.
BROVIK.
But that is just what he does not like. He feels that he cannot stay
here any longer.
SOLNESS.
Why, I should say he was very well off here. But if he wants more money,
I should not mind——
BROVIK.
No, no! It is not _that_. [_Impatiently._] But sooner or later he, too,
must have a chance of doing something on his own account.
SOLNESS.
[_Without looking at him._] Do you think that Ragnar has quite talent
enough to stand alone?
BROVIK.
No, that is just the heartbreaking part of it—I have begun to have my
doubts about the boy. For you have never said so much as—as one
encouraging word about him. And yet I cannot but think there must be
something in him—he _can’t_ be without talent.
SOLNESS.
Well, but he has learnt nothing—nothing thoroughly, I mean. Except, of
course, to draw.
BROVIK.
[_Looks at him with covert hatred, and says hoarsely._] _You_ had
learned little enough of the business when you were in my employment.
But that did not prevent you from setting to work—[_breathing with
difficulty_]—and pushing your way up, and taking the wind out of my
sails—mine, and so many other people’s.
SOLNESS.
Yes, you see—circumstances favoured me.
BROVIK.
You are right there. Everything favoured you. But then how can you have
the heart to let me go to my grave—without having seen what Ragnar is
fit for? And of course I am anxious to see them married, too—before I
go.
SOLNESS.
[_Sharply._] Is it she who wishes it?
BROVIK.
Not Kaia so much as Ragnar—he talks about it everyday. [_Appealingly._]
You must—you _must_ help him to get some independent work now! I _must_
see something that the lad has done. Do you hear?
SOLNESS.
[_Peevishly._] Hang it, man, you can’t expect me to drag commissions
down from the moon for him!
BROVIK.
He has the chance of a capital commission at this very moment. A big bit
of work.
SOLNESS.
[_Uneasily, startled._] Has he?
BROVIK.
If _you_ would give your consent.
SOLNESS.
What sort of work do you mean?
BROVIK.
[_With some hesitation._] He can have the building of that villa out at
Lövstrand.
SOLNESS.
_That_! Why I am going to build that myself.
BROVIK.
Oh _you_ don’t much care about doing it.
SOLNESS.
[_Flaring up._] Don’t care! I! Who dares to say that?
BROVIK.
You said so yourself just now.
SOLNESS.
Oh, never mind what I _say_.—Would they give Ragnar the building of that
villa?
BROVIK.
Yes. You see, he knows the family. And then—just for the fun of the
thing—he has made drawings and estimates and so forth——
SOLNESS.
Are they pleased with the drawings? The people who will have to live in
the house?
BROVIK.
Yes. If you would only look through them and approve of them——
SOLNESS.
Then they would let Ragnar build their home for them?
BROVIK.
They were immensely pleased with his idea. They thought it exceedingly
original, they said.
SOLNESS.
Oho! Original! Not the old-fashioned stuff that _I_ am in the habit of
turning out!
BROVIK.
It seemed to them _different_.
SOLNESS.
[_With suppressed irritation._] So it was to see Ragnar that they came
here—whilst I was out!
BROVIK.
They came to call upon you—and at the same time to ask whether you would
mind retiring——
SOLNESS.
[_Angrily._] Retire? I?
BROVIK.
In case you thought that Ragnar’s drawings——
SOLNESS.
I! Retire in favour of your son!
BROVIK.
Retire from the agreement, they meant.
SOLNESS.
Oh, it comes to the same thing. [_Laughs angrily._] So that is it, is
it? Halvard Solness is to see about retiring now! To make room for
younger men! For the very youngest, perhaps! He must make room! Room!
Room!
BROVIK.
Why, good heavens! there is surely room for more than one single man——
SOLNESS.
Oh, there’s not so _very_ much room to spare either. But, be that as it
may—I will never retire! I will never give way to anybody! Never of my
own free will. Never in this world will I do _that_!
BROVIK.
[_Rises with difficulty._] Then I am to pass out of life without any
certainty? Without a gleam of happiness? Without any faith or trust in
Ragnar? Without having seen a single piece of work of his doing? Is that
to be the way of it?
SOLNESS.
[_Turns half aside, and mutters._] H’m—don’t ask more just now.
BROVIK.
I must have an answer to this one question. Am I to pass out of life in
such utter poverty?
SOLNESS.
[_Seems to struggle with himself; finally he says, in a low but firm
voice_:] You must pass out of life as best you can.
BROVIK.
Then be it so. [_He goes up the room._
SOLNESS.
[_Following him, half in desperation._] Don’t you understand that I
_cannot_ help it? I am what I am, and I cannot change my nature!
BROVIK.
No, no; I suppose you can’t. [_Reels and supports himself against the
sofa-table._] May I have a glass of water?
SOLNESS.
By all means. [_Fills a glass and hands it to him._
BROVIK.
Thanks. [_Drinks and puts the glass down again._
[SOLNESS _goes up and opens the door of the draughtsmen’s
office._
SOLNESS.
Ragnar—you must come and take your father home.
RAGNAR _rises quickly. He and_ KAIA _come into the work-room._
RAGNAR.
What is the matter, father?
BROVIK.
Give me your arm. Now let us go.
RAGNAR.
Very well. You had better put your things on, too, Kaia.
SOLNESS.
Miss Fosli must stay—just for a moment. There is a letter I want
written.
BROVIK.
[_Looks at SOLNESS._] Good night. Sleep well—if you can.
SOLNESS.
Good night.
[BROVIK _and_ RAGNAR _go out by the hall-door._ KAIA _goes to
the desk._ SOLNESS _stands with bent head, to the right, by
the arm-chair._
KAIA.
[_Dubiously._] _Is_ there any letter——?
SOLNESS.
[_Curtly._] No, of course not. [_Looks sternly at her._] Kaia!
KAIA.
[_Anxiously, in a low voice._] Yes!
SOLNESS.
[_Points imperatively to a spot on the floor._] Come here! At once!
KAIA.
[_Hesitatingly._] Yes.
SOLNESS.
[_As before._] Nearer!
KAIA.
[_Obeying._] What do you want with me?
SOLNESS.
[_Looks at her for a while._] Is it you I have to thank for all this?
KAIA.
No, no, don’t think that!
SOLNESS.
But confess now—you want to get married!
KAIA.
[_Softly._] Ragnar and I have been engaged for four or five years, and
so——
SOLNESS.
And so you think it time there were an end of it. Is not that so?
KAIA.
Ragnar and Uncle say I _must_. So I suppose I shall have to give in.
SOLNESS.
[_More gently._] Kaia, don’t you really care a little bit for Ragnar,
too?
KAIA.
I cared very much for Ragnar once—before I came here to you.
SOLNESS.
But you don’t now? Not in the least?
KAIA.
[_Passionately, clasping her hands and holding them out towards him._]
Oh, you know very well there is only one person I care for now! One, and
one only, in all the world! I shall never care for any one else.
SOLNESS.
Yes, you say that. And yet you go away from me—leave me alone here with
everything on my hands.
KAIA.
But could I not stay with you, even if Ragnar——?
SOLNESS.
[_Repudiating the idea._] No, no, that is quite impossible. If Ragnar
leaves me and starts work on his own account, then of course he will
need you himself.
KAIA.
[_Wringing her hands._] Oh, I feel as if I _could_ not be separated from
you! It’s quite, quite impossible!
SOLNESS.
Then be sure you get those foolish notions out of Ragnar’s head. Marry
him as much as you please—[_Alters his tone._] I mean—don’t let him
throw up his good situation with me. For then I can keep _you_ too, my
dear KAIA.
KAIA.
Oh yes, how lovely that would be, if it could only be managed!
SOLNESS.
[_Clasps her head with his two hands and whispers._] For I cannot get on
without you, you see. I must have you with me every single day.
KAIA.
[_In nervous exaltation._] My God! My God!
SOLNESS.
[_Kisses her hair._] Kaia—Kaia!
KAIA.
[_Sinks down before him._] Oh, how good you are to me! How unspeakably
good you are!
SOLNESS.
[_Vehemently._] Get up! For goodness’ sake get up! I think I hear some
one!
[_He helps her to rise. She staggers over to the desk._
MRS. SOLNESS _enters by the door on the right. She looks thin and wasted
with grief, but shows traces of bygone beauty. Blonde ringlets.
Dressed with good taste, wholly in black. Speaks somewhat slowly and
in a plaintive voice._
MRS. SOLNESS.
[_In the doorway._] Halvard!
SOLNESS.
[_Turns._] Oh, are you there, my dear——?
MRS. SOLNESS.
[_With a glance at KAIA._] I am afraid I am disturbing you.
SOLNESS.
Not in the least. Miss Fosli has only a short letter to write.
MRS. SOLNESS.
Yes, so I see.
SOLNESS.
What do you want with me, Aline?
MRS. SOLNESS.
I merely wanted to tell you that Dr. Herdal is in the drawing-room.
Won’t you come and see him, Halvard?
SOLNESS.
[_Looks suspiciously at her._] H’m—is the doctor so very anxious to talk
to me?
MRS. SOLNESS.
Well, not exactly anxious. He really came to see me; but he would like
to say how-do-you-do to you at the same time.
SOLNESS.
[_Laughs to himself._] Yes, I daresay. Well, you must ask him to wait a
little.
MRS. SOLNESS.
Then you will come in presently?
SOLNESS.
Perhaps I will. Presently, presently, dear. In a little while.
MRS. SOLNESS.
[_Glancing again at KAIA._] Well now, don’t forget, Halvard.
[_Withdraws and closes the door behind her._
KAIA.
[_Softly._] Oh dear, oh dear—I am sure Mrs. Solness thinks ill of me in
some way!
SOLNESS.
Oh, not in the least. Not more than usual at any rate. But all the same,
you had better go now, Kaia.
KAIA.
Yes, yes, now I _must_ go.
SOLNESS.
[_Severely._] And mind you get that matter settled for me. Do you hear?
KAIA.
Oh, if it only depended on _me_——
SOLNESS.
I _will_ have it settled, I say! And to-morrow too—not a day later!
KAIA.
[_Terrified._] If there’s nothing else for it, I am quite willing to
break off the engagement.
SOLNESS.
[_Angrily._] Break it off. Are you mad? Would you think of breaking it
off?
KAIA.
[_Distracted._] Yes, if necessary. For I _must_—I _must_ stay here with
you! I _can’t_ leave you! That is utterly—utterly impossible!
SOLNESS.
[_With a sudden outburst._] But deuce take it—how about Ragnar then!
It’s Ragnar that I——
KAIA.
[_Looks at him with terrified eyes._] It is chiefly on Ragnar’s account,
that—that you——?
SOLNESS.
[_Collecting himself._] No, no, of course not! You don’t understand me
either. [_Gently and softly._] Of course it is _you_ I want to keep—you
above everything, KAIA. But for that very reason, you must prevent
Ragnar, too, from throwing up his situation. There, there,—now go home.
KAIA.
Yes, yes—good-night, then.
SOLNESS.
Good night. [_As she is going._] Oh, stop a moment! Are Ragnar’s
drawings in there?
KAIA.
I did not see him take them with him.
SOLNESS.
Then just go and find them for me. I might perhaps glance over them,
after all.
KAIA.
[_Happy._] Oh yes, please do!
SOLNESS.
For your sake, Kaia dear. Now, let me have them at once, please.
[KAIA _hurries into the draughtsmen’s office, searches
anxiously in the table-drawer finds a portfolio and brings
it with her._
KAIA.
Here are all the drawings.
SOLNESS.
Good. Put them down there on the table.
KAIA.
[_Putting down the portfolio._] Good night, then. [_Beseechingly._] And
please, please think kindly of me.
SOLNESS.
Oh, that I always do. Good-night, my dear little Kaia. [_Glances to the
right._] Go, go now!
MRS. SOLNESS _and_ DR. HERDAL _enter by the door on the right. He is a
stoutish, elderly man, with a round, good-humoured face, clean
shaven, with thin, light hair, and gold spectacles._
MRS. SOLNESS.
[_Still in the doorway._] Halvard, I cannot keep the doctor any longer.
SOLNESS.
Well then, come in here.
MRS. SOLNESS.
[_To KAIA, who is turning down the desk-lamp._] Have you finished the
letter already, Miss Fosli?
KAIA.
[_In confusion._] The letter——?
SOLNESS.
Yes, it was quite a short one.
MRS. SOLNESS.
It must have been very short.
SOLNESS.
You may go now, Miss Fosli. And please come in good time to-morrow
morning.
KAIA.
I will be sure to. Good-night, Mrs. Solness.
[_She goes out by the hall door._
MRS. SOLNESS.
She must be quite an acquisition to you, Halvard, this Miss Fosli.
SOLNESS.
Yes, indeed. She is useful in all sorts of ways.
MRS. SOLNESS.
So it seems.
DR. HERDAL.
Is she good at book-keeping too?
SOLNESS.
Well—of course she has had a good deal of practice during these two
years. And then she is so nice and willing to do whatever one asks of
her.
MRS. SOLNESS.
Yes, that must be very delightful——
SOLNESS.
It is. Especially when one is not too much accustomed to that sort of
thing.
MRS. SOLNESS.
[_In a tone of gentle remonstrance._] Can _you_ say that, Halvard?
SOLNESS.
Oh, no, no, my dear Aline; I beg your pardon.
MRS. SOLNESS.
There’s no occasion.—Well then, doctor, you will come back later on, and
have a cup of tea with us?
DR. HERDAL.
I have only that one patient to see, and then I’ll come back.
MRS. SOLNESS.
Thank you.
[_She goes out by the door on the right._
SOLNESS.
Are you in a hurry, doctor?
DR. HERDAL.
No, not at all.
SOLNESS.
May I have a little chat with you?
DR. HERDAL.
With the greatest of pleasure.
SOLNESS.
Then let us sit down. [_He motions the doctor to take the rocking-chair,
and sits down himself in the arm-chair. Looks searchingly at him._] Tell
me—did you notice anything odd about Aline?
DR. HERDAL.
Do you mean just now, when she was here?
SOLNESS.
Yes, in her manner to me. Did you notice anything?
DR. HERDAL.
[_Smiling._] Well, I admit—one couldn’t well avoid noticing that your
wife—h’m——
SOLNESS.
Well?
DR. HERDAL.
—that your wife is not particularly fond of this Miss Fosli.
SOLNESS.
Is that all? I have noticed that myself.
DR. HERDAL.
And I must say I am scarcely surprised at it.
SOLNESS.
At what?
DR. HERDAL.
That she should not exactly approve of your seeing so much of another
woman, all day and every day.
SOLNESS.
No, no, I suppose you are right there—and Aline too. But it’s impossible
to make any change.
DR. HERDAL.
Could you not engage a clerk?
SOLNESS.
The first man that came to hand? No, thank you—that would never do for
me.
DR. HERDAL.
But now, if your wife——? Suppose, with her delicate health, all this
tries her too much?
SOLNESS.
Even then—I might almost say—it can make no difference. I _must_ keep
Kaia Fosli. No one else could fill her place.
DR. HERDAL.
No one else?
SOLNESS.
[_Curtly._] No, no one.
DR. HERDAL.
[_Drawing his chair closer._] Now listen to me my dear Mr. SOLNESS. May
I ask you a question, quite between ourselves?
SOLNESS.
By all means.
DR. HERDAL.
Women, you see—in certain matters, they have a deucedly keen intuition——
SOLNESS.
They have, indeed. There is not the least doubt of that. But——?
DR. HERDAL.
Well, tell me now—if your wife can’t endure this Kaia Fosli——?
SOLNESS.
Well, what then?
DR. HERDAL.
—may she not have just—just the least little bit of reason for this
instinctive dislike?
SOLNESS.
[_Looks at him and rises._] Oho!
DR. HERDAL.
Now don’t be offended—but _hasn’t_ she?
SOLNESS.
[_With curt decision._] No.
DR. HERDAL.
No reason of any sort?
SOLNESS.
No other reason than her own suspicious nature.
DR. HERDAL.
I know you have known a good many women in your time.
SOLNESS.
Yes, I have.
DR. HERDAL.
And have been a good deal taken with some of them, too.
SOLNESS.
Oh yes, I don’t deny it.
DR. HERDAL.
But as regards Miss Fosli, then? There is nothing of that sort in the
case?
SOLNESS.
No; nothing at all—on _my_ side.
DR. HERDAL.
But on her side?
SOLNESS.
I don’t think you have any right to ask that question, doctor.
DR. HERDAL.
Well, you know, we were discussing your wife’s intuition.
SOLNESS.
So we were. And for that matter—[_lowers his voice_]—Aline’s intuition,
as you call it—in a certain sense, it has not been so far astray.
DR. HERDAL.
Aha! there we have it!
SOLNESS.
[_Sits down._] Doctor Herdal—I am going to tell you a strange story—if
you care to listen to it.
DR. HERDAL.
I like listening to strange stories.
SOLNESS.
Very well then. I daresay you recollect that I took Knut Brovik and his
son into my employment—after the old man’s business had gone to the
dogs.
DR. HERDAL.
Yes, so I have understood.
SOLNESS.
You see, they really are clever fellows, these two. Each of them has
talent in his own way. But then the son took it into his head to get
engaged; and the next thing, of course, was that he wanted to get
married—and begin to build on his own account. That is the way with all
these young people.
DR. HERDAL.
[_Laughing._] Yes, they have a bad habit of wanting to marry.
SOLNESS.
Just so. But of course that did not suit _my_ plans; for I needed Ragnar
myself—and the old man too. He is exceedingly good at calculating
bearing-strains and cubic contents—and all that sort of devilry, you
know.
DR. HERDAL.
Oh yes, no doubt that’s indispensable.
SOLNESS.
Yes, it is. But Ragnar was absolutely bent on setting to work for
himself. He would hear of nothing else.
DR. HERDAL.
But he has stayed with you all the same.
SOLNESS.
Yes, I’ll tell you how that came about. One day this girl, Kaia Fosli,
came to see them on some errand or other. She had never been here
before. And when I saw how utterly infatuated they were with each other,
the thought occurred to me: if I could only get her into the office
here, then perhaps Ragnar too would stay where he is.
DR. HERDAL.
That was not at all a bad idea.
SOLNESS.
Yes, but at the time I did not breathe a word of what was in my mind. I
merely stood and looked at her—and kept on wishing intently that I could
have her here. Then I talked to her a little, in a friendly way—about
one thing and another. And then she went away.
DR. HERDAL.
Well?
SOLNESS.
Well then, next day, pretty late in the evening, when old Brovik and
Ragnar had gone home, she came here again, and behaved as if I had made
an arrangement with her.
DR. HERDAL.
An arrangement? What about?
SOLNESS.
About the very thing my mind had been fixed on. But I hadn’t said one
single word about it.
DR. HERDAL.
That was most extraordinary.
SOLNESS.