The Master Builder Part 66

The Master Builder Part 66

What am I to do here now?


SOLNESS.


Simply to be here, Hilda!


HILDA.


[Measures him with a look.] Oh, thank you. You know it wouldnt end there.


SOLNESS.


[Heedlessly.] So much the better!


HILDA.


[Vehemently.] I cannot do any harm to one whom I know! I cant take away anything that belongs to her.


SOLNESS.


Who wants you to do that?


HILDA.


[Continuing.] A stranger, yes! for that is quite a different thing! A person I have never set eyes on. But one that I have come into close contact with--! Oh no! Oh no! Ugh!


SOLNESS.


Yes, but I never proposed you should.


HILDA.


Oh, Mr. Solness, you know quite well what the end of it would be. And that is why I am going away.


SOLNESS.


And what is to become of me when you are gone? What shall I have to live for then?--After that?


HILDA.


[With the indefinable look in her eyes.] It is surely not so hard for you. You have your duties to her. Live for those duties.


SOLNESS.


Too late. These powers--these--these--


HILDA. --devils--


SOLNESS.


Yes, these devils! And the troll within me as well--they have drawn all the life-blood out of her. [Laughs in desperation.] They did it for my happiness! Yes, yes! [Sadly.] And now she is dead--for my sake. And I am chained alive to a dead woman. [In wild anguish.] _I_--_I_ who cannot live without joy in life!


[HILDA moves round the table and seats herself on the bench, with her elbows on the table, and her head supported by her hands.


HILDA.


[Sits and looks at him awhile.] What will you build next?


SOLNESS.


[Shakes his head.] I dont believe I shall build much more.


HILDA.


Not those cosy, happy homes for mother and father, and for the troop of children?


SOLNESS.


I wonder whether there will be any use for such homes in the coming time.


HILDA.


Poor Mr. Solness! And you have gone all these ten years--and staked your whole life--on that alone.


SOLNESS.


Yes, you may well say so, Hilda.


HILDA.