The Master Builder Part 45

The Master Builder Part 45

[Slowly.] The two little children--they are not so easy to forget, Hilda.


HILDA.


[Somewhat uncertainly.] Do you still feel their loss so much--after all these years?


SOLNESS.


[Looks fixedly at her, without replying.] A happy man you said--


HILDA.


Well, now, are you not happy--in other respects?


SOLNESS.


[Continues to look at her.] When I told you all this about the fire--hm--


HILDA.


Well?


SOLNESS.


Was there not one special thought that you--that you seized upon?


HILDA.


[Reflects in vain.] No. What thought should that be?


SOLNESS.


[With subdued emphasis.] It was simply and solely by that fire that I was enabled to build homes for human beings. Cosy, comfortable, bright homes, where father and mother and the whole troop of children can live in safety and gladness, feeling what a happy thing it is to be alive in the world--and most of all to belong to each other--in great things and in small.


HILDA.


[Ardently.] Well, and is it not a great happiness for you to be able to build such beautiful homes?


SOLNESS.


The price, Hilda! The terrible price I had to pay for the opportunity!


HILDA.


But can you never get over that?


SOLNESS.


No. That I might build homes for others, I had to forego--to forego for all time--the home that might have been my own. I mean a home for a troop of children--and for father and mother, too.


HILDA.


[Cautiously.] But need you have done that? For all time, you say?


SOLNESS.


[Nods slowly.] That was the price of this happiness that people talk about. [Breathes heavily.] This happiness--hm--this happiness was not to be bought any cheaper, Hilda.


HILDA.


[As before.] But may it not come right even yet?


SOLNESS.


Never in this world--never. That is another consequence of the fire--and of Alines illness afterwards.


HILDA.


[Looks at him with an indefinable expression.] And yet you build all these nurseries.


SOLNESS.


[Seriously.] Have you never noticed, Hilda, how the impossible--how it seems to beckon and cry aloud to one?


HILDA.


[Reflecting.] The impossible? [With animation.] Yes, indeed! Is that how you feel too?


SOLNESS.