The Master Builder Part 36

The Master Builder Part 36

MRS. SOLNESS.


[Feels blindly for a chair and sits down.] Halvard--for G.o.ds sake--


SOLNESS.


But you are wrong, both you and the doctor. I am not in the state that you imagine.


[He walks up and down the room. MRS. SOLNESS follows him anxiously with her eyes. Finally he goes up to her.


SOLNESS.


[Calmly.] In reality there is nothing whatever the matter with me.


MRS. SOLNESS.


No, there isnt, is there? But then what is it that troubles you so?


SOLNESS.


Why this, that I often feel ready to sink under this terrible burden of debt--


MRS. SOLNESS.


Debt, do you say? But you owe no one anything, Halvard!


SOLNESS.


[Softly, with emotion.] I owe a boundless debt to you--to you--to you, Aline.


MRS. SOLNESS.


[Rises slowly.] What is behind all this? You may just as well tell me at once.


SOLNESS.


But there is nothing behind it! I have never done you any wrong--not wittingly and willfully, at any rate. And yet--and yet it seems as though a crushing debt rested upon me and weighed me down.


MRS. SOLNESS.


A debt to me?


SOLNESS.


Chiefly to you.


MRS. SOLNESS.


Then you are--ill after all, Halvard.


SOLNESS.


[Gloomily.] I suppose I must be--or not far from it. [Looks towards the door to the right, which is opened at this moment.] Ah! now it grows light.


HILDA w.a.n.gEL comes in. She has made some alteration in her dress, and let down her skirt.


HILDA.


Good morning, Mr. Solness!


SOLNESS.


[Nods.] Slept well?


HILDA.


Quite deliciously! Like a child in a cradle. Oh--I lay and stretched myself like--like a princess!


SOLNESS.


[Smiles a little.] You were thoroughly comfortable then?


HILDA.


I should think so.


SOLNESS.


And no doubt you dreamed, too.