The Master Builder Part 52

The Master Builder Part 52

Never? Then why did you leave him?


HILDA.


[Half-seriously, half-banteringly.] Have you forgotten again that the ten year are up?


SOLNESS.


Oh nonsense. Was anything wrong at home? Eh?


HILDA.


[Quite seriously.] It was this impulse within me that urged and goaded me to come--and lured and drew me on, as well.


SOLNESS.


[Eagerly.] There we have it! There we have it, Hilda! There is the troll in you too, as in me. For its the troll in one, you see--it is that that calls to the powers outside us. And then you must give in--whether you will or no.


HILDA.


I almost think you are right, Mr. Solness.


SOLNESS.


[Walks about the room.] Oh, there are devils innumerable abroad in the world, Hilda, that one never sees.


HILDA.


Devils, too?


SOLNESS.


[Stops.] Good devils and bad devils; light-haired devils and black-haired devils. If only you could always tell whether it is the light or dark ones that have got hold of you! [Paces about.] Ho-ho! Then it would be simple enough!


HILDA.


[Follows him with her eyes.] Or if one had a really vigorous, radiantly healthy conscience--so that one dared to do what one would.


SOLNESS.


[Stops beside the console table.] I believe, now, that most people are just as puny creatures as I am in that respect.


HILDA.


I shouldnt wonder.


SOLNESS.


[Leaning against the table.] In the sagas--. Have you read any of the old sagas?


HILDA.


Oh yes! When I used to read books, I--


SOLNESS.


In the sagas you read about vikings, who sailed to foreign lands, and plundered and burned and killed men--


HILDA.


And carried off women--


SOLNESS. --and kept them in captivity--


HILDA. --took them home in their ships--


SOLNESS. --and behaved to them like--like the very worst of trolls.


HILDA.


[Looks straight before her, with a half-veiled look.] I think that must have been thrilling.


SOLNESS.


[With a short, deep laugh.] To carry off women, eh?


HILDA.


To be carried off.