Part 40 (1/2)

HILDA.

Pooh--these scrawlings! But if he has been learning from you--

SOLNESS.

Oh, so far as that goes--there are plenty of people here that have learnt from me, and have come to little enough for all that.

HILDA.

[Looks at him and shakes her head.] No, I can't for the life of me understand how you can be so stupid.

SOLNESS.

Stupid? Do you think I am so very stupid?

HILDA.

Yes, I do indeed. If you are content to go about here teaching all these people--

SOLNESS.

[With a slight start.] Well, and why not?

HILDA.

[Rises, half serious, half laughing.] No indeed, Mr. Solness! What can be the good of that? No one but you should be allowed to build. You should stand quite alone--do it all yourself. Now you know it.

SOLNESS.

[Involuntarily.] Hilda--!

HILDA.

Well!

SOLNESS.

How in the world did that come into your head?

HILDA.