Part 3
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.
Yes, was it not? And now she wanted to know what she was to do here--whether she could begin the very next morning, and so forth.
DR. HERDAL.
Don't you think she did it in order to be with her sweetheart?
SOLNESS.
That was what occurred to me at first. But no, that was not it. She seemed to drift quite away from him--when once she had come here to me.
DR. HERDAL.
She drifted over to you, then?
SOLNESS.
Yes, entirely. If I happen to look at her when her back is turned, I can tell that she feels it. She quivers and trembles the moment I come near her. What do you think of that?
DR. HERDAL.
H'm--that's not very hard to explain.
SOLNESS.
Well, but what about the other thing? That she believed I had said to her what I had only wished and willed--silently--inwardly--to myself? What do you say to that? Can you explain that, Dr. Herdal?
DR. HERDAL.
No, I won't undertake to do that.
SOLNESS.
I felt sure you would not; and so I have never cared to talk about it till now.--But it's a cursed nuisance to me in the long run, you understand. Here have I got to go on day after day, pretending--. And it's a shame to treat her so, too, poor girl. [Vehemently.] But I cannot do anything else. For if she runs away from me--then Ragnar will be off too.
DR. HERDAL.
And you have not told your wife the rights of the story?
SOLNESS.
No.
DR. HERDAL.
The why on earth don't you?
SOLNESS.
[Looks fixedly at him, and says in a low voice:] Because I seem to find a sort of--of salutary self-torture in allowing Aline to do me an injustice.
DR. HERDAL.
[Shakes his head.] I don't in the least understand what you mean.
SOLNESS.
Well, you see--it is like paying off a little bit of a huge, immeasurable debt--
DR. HERDAL.
To your wife?
SOLNESS.
Yes; and that always helps to relieve one's mind a little. One can breathe more freely for a while, you understand.
DR. HERDAL.
No, goodness knows, I don't understand at all--
SOLNESS.
[Breaking off, rises again.] Well, well, well--then we won't talk any more about it. [He saunters across the room, returns, and stops beside the table. Looks at the doctor with a sly smile.] I suppose you think you have drawn me out nicely now, doctor?
DR. HERDAL.
[With some irritation.] Drawn you out? Again I have not the faintest notion of what you mean, Mr. Solness.
SOLNESS.
Oh come, out with it; I have seen it quite clearly, you know.
DR. HERDAL.
What have you seen?
SOLNESS.
[In a low voice, slowly.] That you have been quietly keeping an eye upon me.
DR. HERDAL.
That _I_ have! And why in all the world should I do that?
SOLNESS.
Because you think that I---- [Passionately.] Well devil take it--you think the same of me as Aline does.
DR. HERDAL.
And what does she think about you?
SOLNESS.
[Having recovered his self-control.] She has begun to think that I am--that I am--ill.
DR. HERDAL.
Ill! You! She has never hinted such a thing to me. Why, what can she think is the matter with you?
SOLNESS.
[Leans over the back of the chair and whispers.] Aline has made up her mind that I am mad. That is what she thinks.
DR. HERDAL.
[Rising.] Why, my dear fellow--!
SOLNESS.
Yes, on my soul she does! I tell you it is so. And she has got you to think the same! Oh, I can assure you, doctor, I see it in your face as clearly as possible. You don't take me in so easily, I can tell you.
DR. HERDAL.
[Looks at him in amazement.] Never, Mr. Solness--never has such a thought entered my mind.
SOLNESS.
[With and incredulous smile.] Really? Has it not?
DR. HERDAL.
No, never! Nor your wife's mind either, I am convinced. I could almost swear to that.
SOLNESS.
Well, I wouldn't advise you to. For, in a certain sense, you see, perhaps--perhaps she is not so far wrong in thinking something of the kind.
DR. HERDAL.
Come now, I really must say--
SOLNESS.
[Interrupting, with a sweep of his hand.] Well, well, my dear doctor--don't let us discuss this any further. We had better agree to differ. [Changes to a tone of quiet amusement.] But look here now, doctor--h'm--
DR. HERDAL.
Well?
SOLNESS.
Since you don't believe that I am--ill--and crazy--and mad, and so forth--
DR. HERDAL.
What then?
SOLNESS.
Then I daresay you fancy that I am an extremely happy man.
DR. HERDAL.
Is that mere fancy?
SOLNESS.
[Laughs.] No, no--of course not! Heaven forbid! Only think--to be Solness the master builder! Halvard Solness! What could be more delightful?
DR. HERDAL.
Yes, I must say it seems to me you have had the luck on your side to an astounding degree.
SOLNESS.
[Suppresses a gloomy smile.] So I have. I can't complain on that score.
DR. HERDAL.
First of all that grim old robbers' castle was burnt down for you. And that was certainly a great piece of luck.
SOLNESS.
[Seriously.] It was the home of Aline's family. Remember that.
DR. HERDAL.
Yes, it must have been a great grief to her.
SOLNESS.
She has not got over it to this day--not in all these twelve or thirteen years.
DR. HERDAL.
But you--yourself--you rose upon the ruins. You began as a poor boy from a country village--and now you are at the head of your profession. Ah, yes, Mr. Solness, you have undoubtedly had the luck on your side.
SOLNESS.
[Looking at him with embarrassment.] Yes, but that is just what makes me so horribly afraid.
DR. HERDAL.
Afraid? Because you have the luck on your side!
SOLNESS.
It terrifies me--terrifies me every hour of the day. For sooner or later the luck must turn, you see.
DR. HERDAL.
Oh nonsense! What should make the luck turn?
SOLNESS.
[With firm assurance.] The younger generation!
DR. HERDAL.
Pooh! The younger generation! You are not laid on the shelf yet, I should hope. Oh no--your position here is probably firmer now than it has ever been.
SOLNESS.
The luck will turn. I know it--I feel the day approaching. Some one or other will take it into his head to say: Give me a chance! And then all the rest will come clamouring after him, and shake their fists at me and shout: Make room--make room--! Yes, just you see, doctor--presently the younger generation will come knocking at my door--
DR. HERDAL.
[Laughing.] Well, and what if they do?
SOLNESS.
What if they do? Then there's an end of Halvard Solness.
[There is a knock at the door on the left.
SOLNESS.
[Starts.] What's that? Did you not hear something?
DR. HERDAL.
Some one is knocking at the door.
SOLNESS.
[Loudly.] Come in.
HILDA WANGEL enters by the hall door. She is of middle height, supple, and delicately built. Somewhat sunburnt. Dressed in a tourist costume, with skirt caught up for walking, a sailor's collar open at the throat, and a small sailor hat on her head. Knapsack on back, plaid in strap, and alpenstock.
HILDA.
[Goes straight up to SOLNESS, her eyes sparkling with happiness.] Good evening!
SOLNESS.
[Looks doubtfully at her.] Good evening--
HILDA.
[Laughs.] I almost believe you don't recognise me!
SOLNESS.
No--I must admit that--just for the moment--
DR. HERDAL.
[Approaching.] But _I_ recognise you, my dear young lady--
HILDA.
[Pleased.] Oh, is it you that--
DR. HERDAL.
Of course it is. [To SOLNESS.] We met at one of the mountain stations this summer. [To HILDA.] What became of the other ladies?
HILDA.
Oh, they went westward.
DR. HERDAL.
They didn't much like all the fun we used to have in the evenings.
HILDA.
No, I believe they didn't.
DR. HERDAL.
[Holds up his finger at her.] And I am afraid it can't be denied that you flirted a little with us.
HILDA.
Well, that was better fun than to sit there knitting stockings with all those old women.
DR. HERDAL.
[Laughs.] There I entirely agree with you!
SOLNESS.
Have you come to town this evening?
HILDA.
Yes, I have just arrived.
DR. HERDAL.
Quite alone, Miss Wangel?
HILDA.
Oh yes!
SOLNESS.
Wangel? Is your name Wangel?
HILDA.
[Looks in amused surprise at him.] Yes, of course it is.
SOLNESS.
Then you must be a daughter of the district doctor up at Lysanger?
HILDA.
[As before.] Yes, who else's daughter should I be?
SOLNESS.
Oh, then I suppose we met up there, that summer when I was building a tower on the old church.
HILDA.
[More seriously.] Yes, of course it was then we met.
SOLNESS.
Well, that is a long time ago.
HILDA.
[Looks hard at him.] It is exactly ten years.
SOLNESS.
You must have been a mere child then, I should think.
HILDA.
[Carelessly.] Well, I was twelve or thirteen.
DR. HERDAL.
Is this the first time you have ever been up to town, Miss Wangel?
HILDA.
Yes, it is indeed.
SOLNESS.
And don't you know any one here?
HILDA.
Nobody but you. And of course, your wife.
SOLNESS.
So you know her, too?
HILDA.
Only a little. We spent a few days together at the sanatorium.
SOLNESS.
Ah, up there?
HILDA.
She said I might come and pay her a visit if ever I came up to town. [Smiles.] Not that that was necessary.
SOLNESS.
Odd that she should never have mentioned it.
[HILDA puts her stick down by the stove, takes off the knapsack and lays it and the plaid on the sofa. DR. HERDAL offers to help her. SOLNESS stands and gazes at her.
HILDA.
[Going towards him.] Well, now I must ask you to let me stay the night here.
SOLNESS.
I am sure there will be no difficulty about that.
HILDA.
For I have no other clothes than those I stand in, except a change of linen in my knapsack. And that has to go to the wash, for it's very dirty.
SOLNESS.
Oh yes, that can be managed. Now I'll just let my wife know--
DR. HERDAL.
Meanwhile I will go and see my patient.
SOLNESS.
Yes, do; and come again later on.
DR. HERDAL.
[Playfully, with a glance at HILDA.] Oh that I will, you may be very certain! [Laughs.] So your prediction has come true, Mr. Solness!
SOLNESS.
How so?
DR. HERDAL.
The younger generation did come knocking at your door.
SOLNESS.
[Cheerfully.] Yes, but in a very different way from what I meant.
DR. HERDAL.
Very different, yes. That's undeniable.
[He goes out by the hall-door. SOLNESS opens the door on the right and speaks into the side room.
SOLNESS.
Aline! Will you come in here, please. Here is a friend of yours--Miss Wangel.
MRS. SOLNESS.
[Appears in the doorway.] Who do you say it is? [Sees HILDA.]. Oh, is it you, Miss Wangel?
SOLNESS.
Miss Wangel has this moment arrived; and she would like to stay the night here.
MRS. SOLNESS.
Here with us? Oh yes, certainly.
SOLNESS.
Till she can get her things a little in order, you know.
MRS. SOLNESS.
I will do the best I can for you. It's no more than my duty. I suppose your trunk is coming on later?
HILDA.
I have no trunk.
MRS. SOLNESS.
Well, it will be all right, I daresay. In the meantime, you must excuse my leaving you here with my husband, until I can get a room made a little more comfortable for you.
SOLNESS.
Can we not give her one of the nurseries? They are all ready as it is.
MRS. SOLNESS.
Oh yes. There we have room and to spare. [To HILDA.] Sit down now, and rest a little. [She goes out to the right.
[HILDA, with her hands behind her back, strolls about the room and looks at various objects. SOLNESS stands in front, beside the table, also with his hands behind his back, and follows her with his eyes.
HILDA.
[Stops and looks at him.] Have you several nurseries?
SOLNESS.
There are three nurseries in the house.
HILDA.
That's a lot. Then I suppose you have a great many children?
SOLNESS.
No. We have no child. But now you can be the child here, for the time being.
HILDA.
For to-night, yes. I shall not cry. I mean to sleep as sound as a stone.
SOLNESS.
Yes, you must be very tired, I should think.
HILDA.
Oh no! But all the same--. It's so delicious to lie and dream.
SOLNESS.
Do you dream much of nights?
HILDA.
Oh yes! Almost always.
SOLNESS.
What do you dream about most?
HILDA.
I sha'n't tell you to-night. Another time perhaps.
[She again strolls about the room, stops at the desk and turns over the books and papers a little.
SOLNESS.
[Approaching.] Are you searching for anything?
HILDA.
No, I am merely looking at all these things. [Turns.] Perhaps I mustn't?
SOLNESS.
Oh, by all means.
HILDA.
Is it you that writes in this great ledger?
SOLNESS.
No, it's my book-keeper.
HILDA.
Is it a woman?
SOLNESS.
[Smiles.] Yes.
HILDA.
One you employ here, in your office?
SOLNESS.
Yes.
HILDA.
Is she married?
SOLNESS.
No, she is single.
HILDA.
Oh, indeed!
SOLNESS.
But I believe she is soon going to be married.
HILDA.
That's a good thing for her.
SOLNESS.
But not such a good thing for me. For then I shall have nobody to help me.
HILDA.
Can't you get hold of some one else who will do just as well?
SOLNESS.
Perhaps you would stay here and--and write in the ledger?
HILDA.
[Measures him with a glance.] Yes, I daresay! No, thank you--nothing of that sort for me.
[She again strolls across the room, and sits down on the rocking-chair. SOLNESS too goes to the table.
HILDA.
[Continuing.] For there must surely be plenty of other thing to be done here. [Looks smilingly at him.] Don't you think so, too?
SOLNESS.
Of course. First of all, I suppose, you want to make a round of the shops, and get yourself up in the height of fashion.
HILDA.
[Amused.] No, I think I shall let that alone!
SOLNESS.
Indeed?
HILDA.
For you must know I have run through all my money.
SOLNESS.
[Laughs.] Neither trunk nor money, then?
HILDA.
Neither one nor the other. But never mind--it doesn't matter now.
SOLNESS.
Come now, I like you for that.
HILDA.
Only for that?
SOLNESS.
For that among other things. [Sits in the arm-chair.] Is your father alive still?
HILDA.
Yes, father's alive.
SOLNESS.
Perhaps you are thinking of studying here?
HILDA.
No, that hadn't occurred to me.
SOLNESS.
But I suppose you will be staying for some time?
HILDA.
That must depend upon circumstances.
[She sits awhile rocking herself and looking at him, half seriously, half with a suppressed smile. Then she takes off her hat and puts it on the table in front of her.
HILDA.
Mr. Solness!
SOLNESS.
Well?
HILDA.
Have you a very bad memory?
SOLNESS.
A bad memory? No, not that I am aware of.
HILDA.
Then have you nothing to say to me about what happened up there?
SOLNESS.
[In momentary surprise.] Up at Lysanger? [Indifferently.] Why, it was nothing much to talk about it seems to me.
HILDA.
[Looks reproachfully at him.] How can you sit there and say such things?
SOLNESS.
Well, then, you talk to me about it.
HILDA.
When the tower was finished, we had grand doings in the town.
SOLNESS.
Yes, I shall not easily forget that day.
HILDA.
[Smiles.] Will you not? That comes well from you.
SOLNESS.
Comes well?
HILDA.
There was music in the churchyard--and many, many hundreds of people. We school-girls were dressed in white; and we all carried flags.
SOLNESS.
Ah yes, those flags--I can tell you I remember them!
HILDA.
Then you climbed right up the scaffolding, straight to the very top; and you had a great wreath with you; and you hung that wreath right away up on the weather-vane.
SOLNESS.
[Curtly interrupting.] I always did that in those days. It is an old custom.
HILDA.
It was so wonderfully thrilling to stand below and look up at you. Fancy, if he should fall over! He--the master builder himself!
SOLNESS.
[As if to divert her from the subject.] Yes, yes, yes, that might very will have happened, too. For one of those white-frocked little devils,--she went on in such a way, and screamed up at me so--
HILDA.
[Sparkling with pleasure.] "Hurrah for Master Builder Solness!" Yes!
SOLNESS. --and waved and flourished with her flag, so that I--so that it almost made me giddy to look at it.
HILDA.
[In a lower voice, seriously.] That little devil--that was _I_.
SOLNESS.
[Fixes his eyes steadily upon her.] I am sure of that now. It must have been you.
HILDA.
[Lively again.] Oh, it was so gloriously thrilling! I could not have believed there was a builder in the whole world that could build such a tremendously high tower. And then, that you yourself should stand at the very top of it, as large as life! And that you should not be the least bit dizzy! It was that above everything that made one--made one dizzy to think of.
SOLNESS.
How could you be so certain that I was not?
HILDA.
[Scouting the idea.] No indeed! Oh no! I knew that instinctively. For if you had been, you could never have stood up there and sung.
SOLNESS.
[Looks at her in astonishment.] Sung? Did _I_ sing?
HILDA.
Yes, I should think you did.
SOLNESS.
[Shakes his head.] I have never sung a note in my life.
HILDA.
Yes, indeed, you sang then. It sounded like harps in the air.
SOLNESS.
[Thoughtfully.] This is very strange--all this.
HILDA.
[Is silent awhile, looks at him and says in a low voice:] But then,--it was after that--that the real thing happened.
SOLNESS.
The real thing?
HILDA.
[Sparking with vivacity.] Yes, I surely don't need to remind you of that?
SOLNESS.
Oh yes do remind me a little of that, too.
HILDA.
Don't you remember that a great dinner was given in your honour at the Club?
SOLNESS.
Yes, to be sure. It must have been the same afternoon, for I left the place next morning.
HILDA.
And from the Club you were invited to come round to our house to supper.
SOLNESS.
Quite right, Miss Wangel. It is wonderful how all these trifles have impressed themselves on your mind.
HILDA.
Trifles! I like that! Perhaps it was a trifle, too, that I was alone in the room when you came in?
SOLNESS.
Were you alone?
HILDA.
[Without answering him.] You didn't call me a little devil then?
SOLNESS.
No, I suppose I did not.
HILDA.
You said I was lovely in my white dress, and that I looked like a little princess.
SOLNESS.
I have no doubt you did, Miss Wangel.--And besides--I was feeling so buoyant and free that day--
HILDA.
And then you said that when I grew up I should be your princess.
SOLNESS.
[Laughing a little.] Dear, dear--did I say that too?
HILDA.
Yes, you did. And when I asked how long I should have to wait, you said that you would come again in ten years--like a troll--and carry me off--to Spain or some such place. And you promised you would buy me a kingdom there.
SOLNESS.
[As before.] Yes, after a good dinner one doesn't haggle about the halfpence. But did I really say all that?
HILDA.
[Laughs to herself.] Yes. And you told me, too, what the kingdom was to be called.
SOLNESS.
Well, what was it?
HILDA.
It was to be called the kingdom of Orangia,* you said.
*In the original "Appelsinia," "appelsin" meaning "orange."
SOLNESS.
Well, that was an appetising name.
HILDA.
No, I didn't like it a bit; for it seemed as though you wanted to make game of me.
SOLNESS.
I am sure that cannot have been my intention.
HILDA.
No, I should hope not--considering what you did next--
SOLNESS.
What in the world did I do next?
HILDA.
Well, that's the finishing touch, if you have forgotten that too. I should have thought no one could help remembering such a thing as that.
SOLNESS.
Yes, yes, just give me a hint, and then perhaps---- Well?
HILDA.
[Looks fixedly at him.] You came and kissed me, Mr. Solness.
SOLNESS.
[Open-mouthed.] _I_ did!
HILDA.
Yes, indeed you did. You took me in both your arms, and bent my head back, and kissed me--many times.
SOLNESS.
Now really, my dear Miss Wangel--!
HILDA.
[Rises.] You surely cannot mean to deny it?
SOLNESS.
Yes, I do. I deny it altogether!
HILDA.
[Looks scornfully at him.] Oh, indeed!
[She turns and goes slowly up to the stove, where she remains standing motionless, her face averted from him, her hands behind her back. Short pause.
SOLNESS.
[Goes cautiously up behind her.] Miss Wangel--!
HILDA.
[Is silent and does not move.]
SOLNESS.
Don't stand there like a statue. You must have dreamt all this. [Lays his hand on her arm.] Now just listen--
HILDA.
[Makes an impatient movement with her arm.]
SOLNESS.
[As a thought flashes upon him.] Or--! Wait a moment! There is something under all this, you may depend!
HILDA.
[Does not move.]
SOLNESS.
[In a low voice, but with emphasis.] I must have thought all that. I must have wished it--have willed it--have longed to do it. And then--. May not that be the explanation.
HILDA.
[Is still silent.]
SOLNESS.
[Impatiently.] Oh very well, deuce take it all--then I did do it, I suppose.
HILDA.
[Turns her head a little, but without looking at him.] Then you admit it now?
SOLNESS.
Yes--whatever you like.
HILDA.
You came and put your arms round me?
SOLNESS.
Oh yes!
HILDA.
And bent my head back?
SOLNESS.
Very far back.
HILDA.
And kissed me?
SOLNESS.
Yes, I did.
HILDA.
Many times?
SOLNESS.
As many as ever you like.
HILDA.
[Turns quickly toward him and has once more the sparkling expression of gladness in her eyes.] Well, you see, I got it out of you at last!
SOLNESS.
[With a slight smile.] Yes--just think of my forgetting such a thing as that.
HILDA.
[Again a little sulky, retreats from him.] Oh, you have kissed so many people in your time, I suppose.
SOLNESS.
No, you mustn't think that of me. [HILDA seats herself in the arm-chair. SOLNESS stands and leans against the rocking-chair. Looks observantly at her.] Miss Wangel!
HILDA.
Yes!
SOLNESS.
How was it now? What came of all this--between us two.
HILDA.
Why, nothing more came of it. You know that quite well. For then the other guests came in, and then--bah!
SOLNESS.
Quite so! The others came in. To think of my forgetting that too!
HILDA.
Oh, you haven't really forgotten anything: you are only a little ashamed of it all. I am sure one doesn't forget things of that kind.
SOLNESS.
No, one would suppose not.
HILDA.
[Lively again, looks at him.] Perhaps you have even forgotten what day it was?
SOLNESS.
What day--?
HILDA.
Yes, on what day did you hang the wreath on the tower? Well? Tell me at once!
SOLNESS.
H'm--I confess I have forgotten the particular day. I only know it was ten years ago. Some time in autumn.
HILDA.
[Nods her head slowly several times.] It was ten years ago--on the 19th of September.
SOLNESS.