The Master Builder Part 48

The Master Builder Part 48

[Goes to the table.] Thanks.


HILDA.


[Puts her hand on the portfolio.] No, no; leave them here.


SOLNESS.


Why?


HILDA.


Because I want to look at them, too.


SOLNESS.


But you have been---- [To RAGNAR.] Well, leave them here, then.


RAGNAR.


Very well.


SOLNESS.


And go home at once to your father.


RAGNAR.


Yes, I suppose I must.


SOLNESS.


[As if in desperation.] Ragnar--you must not ask me to do what is beyond my power! Do you hear, Ragnar? You must not!


RAGNAR.


No, no. I beg you pardon--


[He bows, and goes out by the corner door. HILDA goes over and sits down on a chair near the mirror.


HILDA.


[Looks angrily at SOLNESS.] That was a very ugly thing to do.


SOLNESS.


Do you think so, too?


HILDA.


Yes, it was horribly ugly--and hard and bad and cruel as well.


SOLNESS.


Oh, you dont understand my position.


HILDA.


No matter--. I say you ought not to be like that.


SOLNESS.


You said yourself, only just now, that no one but _I_ ought to be allowed to build.


HILDA.


_I_ may say such things--but you must not.


SOLNESS.


I most of all, surely, who have paid so dear for my position.


HILDA.


Oh yes--with what you call domestic comfort--and that sort of thing.


SOLNESS.


And with my peace of soul into the bargain.