A plainly furnished workroom in SOLNESS’s house. Folding doors in the wall to the left lead to the entryway. To the right is a door to the inner rooms. In the rear wall a door stands open on the drafting room. Downstage left, a desk with books, papers, and writing materials. Upstage, beyond the folding doors, a stove. In the right-hand corner, a sofa with a table and a couple of chairs. On the table, a carafe of water and a glass. A smaller table with a rocker and an armchair in the right foreground. Lights for working lit over the drafting room table, on the table in the corner, and on the desk.
In the drafting room KNUT BROVIK and his son RAGNAR are sitting, busy with blueprints and calculations. At the desk in the workroom KAJA FOSLI stands, writing in a ledger. KNUT BROVIK is a gaunt old man with white hair and beard. He wears a rather threadbare but well-preserved black coat, glasses, and a white muffler somewhat yellowed by age. RAGNAR BROVIK is in his thirties, well-dressed, blond, with a slight stoop. KAJA FOSLI is a delicate young girl of twenty some years, trimly dressed, but rather sickly in appearance. She is wearing a green eyeshade. All three work on for a time in silence.
KNUT BROVIK (suddenly stands up from the drafting table, as if in fright, his breathing heavy and labored as he comes forward into the doorway). No, I can’t go on much longer!
KAJA (moves over to him). Are you feeling quite bad tonight, Uncle?
BROVIK. Oh, I think it gets worse every day.
RAGNAR (having risen and approached them). Father, you’d better go home. Try to get some sleep—
BROVIK (impatiently). Take to my bed, hm? You want to have me suffocate for good!
KAJA. Go out for a little walk, then.
RAGNAR. Yes, go on. I’ll walk with you.
BROVIK (vehemently). I won’t go till he’s back! Tonight I’m putting it straight up to— (With suppressed resentment.) to him—to the chief.
KAJA (upset). Oh no, Uncle—please, let it wait!
RAGNAR. Yes, Father, wait a while!
BROVIK (struggling for breath). Uhh—uhh! I haven’t much time to wait.
KAJA (listening). Shh! I hear him down on the stairs. (All three return to work. Short silence.)
(HALVARD SOLNESS comes in from the entry hall. He is a middle-aged man, strong and forceful, with close-cropped, curly hair, a dark mustache and thick, dark eyebrows. His jacket, gray-green with wide lapels, is buttoned, with the collar turned up. On his head is a soft gray felt hat, and under his arm a couple of portfolios.)
SOLNESS (by the door, pointing at the drafting room and whispering). Are they gone?
KAJA (softly, shaking her head). No. (She removes the eyeshade. SOLNESS crosses the room, tosses his hat on a chair, sets the folios on the sofa table and then comes back toward the desk. KAJA steadily continues writing, but seems nervous and ill at ease.)
SOLNESS (aloud). What’s that you’re putting down there, Miss Fosli?
KAJA (with a start). Oh, it’s just something that—
SOLNESS. Here, let me see. (Bends over her, pretending to examine the ledger, and whispers.) Kaja?
KAJA (softly, as she writes). Yes.
SOLNESS. Why do you always take off that shade when I’m around?
KAJA (as before). You know it makes me look so ugly.
SOLNESS (smiling). And you don’t want that, do you, Kaja?
KAJA (half glancing up at him). Not for all the world. Not for you to see.
SOLNESS (lightly stroking her hair). Poor, poor little Kaja—
KAJA (ducking her head). Shh—they can hear you!
SOLNESS. Has anyone been in to see me?
RAGNAR (getting up). Yes, the young couple that want to build out at Løvstrand.
SOLNESS (growling). Oh, them. Well, they can wait. I’m not quite clear on the plans yet.
RAGNAR (coming forward and rather hesitantly). They did want so badly to have those drawings soon.
SOLNESS (as before). Good God—they all want that!
BROVIK (looking up). They said they had such a longing to move into their own place.
SOLNESS. All right, all right—we know that! So they’ll make do with anything—any kind of a—a roost. Just a peg to hang their hats. But not a home. No—no, thanks! They can go find somebody else. Tell them that when they come again.
BROVIK (pushing his glasses up on his forehead and staring at him in amazement). Find somebody else? You’d turn that commission down?
SOLNESS (impatiently). Yes, damn it all, yes! If that’s how it’s going to be— It’s better than slapping a shack together. (Exploding.) What do I know about these people!
BROVIK. They’re good solid people. Ragnar knows them. He’s like one of the family. Very solid people.
SOLNESS. Ahh, solid—solid! That’s not what I mean. Lord—don’t you understand me either? (Sharply.) I’ll have nothing to do with strangers. They can find anyone they please, for all I care!
BROVIK (rising). Seriously, you mean that?
SOLNESS (sullenly). Yes—for once. (He paces across the room.)
(BROVIK exchanges a look with RAGNAR, who makes a warning gesture. He then comes into the workroom.)
BROVIK. May I have a word or two with you?
SOLNESS. Gladly.
BROVIK (to KAJA). Kaja, go inside a while.
KAJA (uneasily). Oh, but Uncle—
BROVIK. Do as I say, child. And close the door after you.
(KAJA goes reluctantly into the drafting room and, with a fearful and imploring look at SOLNESS, shuts the door.)
BROVIK (dropping his voice). I don’t want the poor children knowing how sick I am.
SOLNESS. Yes, you’re looking quite done in these days.
BROVIK. It’s almost over with me. My strength—it’s less every day.
SOLNESS. Sit down, rest a bit.
BROVIK. Thanks—may I?
SOLNESS (adjusting the armchair). Here, please. Well?
BROVIK (having seated himself with difficulty). Yes, well, it’s Ragnar; he’s on my mind. What’s going to happen with him?
SOLNESS. Your son, he can stay on here with me, naturally, as long as he wants.
BROVIK. But that’s just the thing: it’s not what he wants. He thinks he can’t—now, any longer.
SOLNESS. Well, I’d say he’s got a very nice salary. But if he’s out for a little more, I wouldn’t be averse to—
BROVIK. No, no, it isn’t that! (Impatiently.) But he needs a chance to work on his own.
SOLNESS (not looking at him). Do you think Ragnar has really enough talent for that?
BROVIK. Don’t you see, that’s the worst of it. That I’m beginning to have my doubts about the boy. For you’ve never said so much as—as one word of encouragement about him. But then I think it can’t be any other way—he must have the talent.
SOLNESS. Well, but he hasn’t learned anything yet—nothing basic. Nothing but drafting.
BROVIK (looking at him with veiled hatred, his voice hoarse). You hadn’t learned anything either, back when you worked for me. But you got along all right. (Breathing heavily.) Pushed your way up. Cut the ground out from under me—and so many others.
SOLNESS. Well—I had luck on my side.
BROVIK. True enough. Everything was on your side. But you can’t have the heart, then, to let me die—without seeing what Ragnar can do. And then, I’d like so much to see them married—before I’m gone.
SOLNESS (sharply). Is she the one who wants that?
BROVIK. Not so much Kaja. But Ragnar talks of it every day. (Beseeching him.) You must—you must help him get some independent work now! I’ve got to see something the boy has done. You hear me!
SOLNESS (angrily). What the hell—you think I can pull down commissions out of the moon for him!
BROVIK. He could have a fine commission right now. A big piece of work.
SOLNESS (surprised and disconcerted). He could?
BROVIK. If you’d give permission.
SOLNESS. What work is that?
BROVIK (hesitating a bit). He could build that house at Løvstrand.
SOLNESS. That! But I’m building that!
BROVIK. Oh, but you have no more interest in it.
SOLNESS (flaring up). No interest! Me! Who says so?
BROVIK. You said it yourself just now.
SOLNESS. Oh, don’t listen to what I—say. Would they give Ragnar that job?
BROVIK. Yes. He knows the family. And then, just for fun, he’s worked out the plans and the estimate, the whole thing—
SOLNESS. And they like the plans? Those people—?
BROVIK. Yes. So if you’d just go over them and give your approval, then—
SOLNESS. Then they’d invite Ragnar to build their home.
BROVIK. They really liked what he wants to do. They thought it was completely new and different—that’s what they said.
SOLNESS. Aha! New! Modern! None of the old-fashioned stuff I build!
BROVIK. They thought it was something—different.
SOLNESS (with suppressed bitterness). And they came here to Ragnar—while I was out!
BROVIK. They came to see you—and also to ask if you’d be willing to give up—
SOLNESS (erupting). Give up! I!
BROVIK. That is, if you found Ragnar’s plans—
SOLNESS. I—give up for your son!
BROVIK. Give up the commission, they meant.
SOLNESS. Oh, it’s one and the same. (With a wry laugh.) So that’s it! Halvard Solness—he ought to start giving up now! Make room for youth. For even the youngest. Just make room! Room! Room!
BROVIK. Good Lord, there’s room enough here for more than one man—
SOLNESS. There’s not that much room here anymore. But, never mind—I’m not giving up! I never give ground. Not voluntarily. Never in this world, never!
BROVIK (rising with effort). And I—must I give up life without hope? Without joy? Without faith and trust in Ragnar? Without seeing a single one of his works? Is that it?
SOLNESS (half turning away, in a whisper). Don’t ask any more now.
BROVIK. Yes, answer me. Shall I go into death so poor?
SOLNESS (after an inner struggle, he speaks at last in a low but firm voice). You have to face death the best you can.
BROVIK. Then that’s it. (He walks away.)
SOLNESS (following him, half in desperation). Don’t you see—what else can I do! I’m made the way I am! I can’t change myself over!
BROVIK. No, no, I guess you can’t. (Stumbles and halts by the sofa table.) May I have a glass of water?
SOLNESS. Please. (Pours and hands him the glass.)
BROVIK. Thanks. (Drinks and sets the glass down.)
SOLNESS (going over and opening the door to the drafting room). Ragnar—come take your father home.
(RAGNAR quickly gets up. He and KAJA come into the workroom.)
RAGNAR. Father, what is it?
BROVIK. Give me your arm. Then we’ll go.
RAGNAR. All right. You get your things too, Kaja.
SOLNESS. Miss Fosli will have to stay on a moment—I’ve a letter to be written.
BROVIK (looking at SOLNESS). Good night. Sleep well—if you can.
SOLNESS. Good night.
(BROVIK and RAGNAR leave by way of the entry hall. KAJA goes over to the desk. SOLNESS stands, head bent, to the right by the armchair.)
KAJA (hesitating). Is there a letter—?
SOLNESS (brusquely). Of course not. (With a fierce look at her.) Kaja!
KAJA (frightened, softly). Yes?
SOLNESS (decisively, beckoning her). Over here! Quick!
KAJA (reluctantly). Yes.
SOLNESS (as before). Closer!
KAJA (obeying). What do you want of me?
SOLNESS (looking at her a moment). Are you at the root of all this?
KAJA. No, no, don’t believe that!
SOLNESS. But marriage—that’s what you want now.
KAJA (quietly). Ragnar and I have been engaged four or five years, and so—
SOLNESS. So you think it just can’t go on forever—isn’t that it?
KAJA. Ragnar and Uncle tell me I must—so I think I’ll have to give in.
SOLNESS (more gently). Kaja, don’t you really care a little for Ragnar too?
KAJA. I cared very much for Ragnar once—before I came here to you.
SOLNESS. But no more? Not at all?
KAJA (passionately, extending her clasped hands out toward him). Oh, you know I care now for one, only one! Nobody else in this whole world. I’ll never care for anyone else!
SOLNESS. Yes, you say that. And then you desert me all the same. Leave me to struggle with everything alone.
KAJA. But couldn’t I stay on with you even if Ragnar—?
SOLNESS. No, no, that’s out of the question. If Ragnar goes out on his own, he’ll be needing you himself.
KAJA (wringing her hands). Oh, I don’t see how I can ever part from you! It’s just so completely impossible.
SOLNESS. Then try to rid Ragnar of these stupid ideas. Marry him as much as you like—(Changing his tone.) Well, I mean—don’t let him throw over a good job here with me. Because—then I can keep you too, Kaja dear.
KAJA. Oh yes, how lovely that would be, if only we could manage it!
SOLNESS (caressing her head with both hands and whispering). Because I can’t be without you. You understand? I’ve got to have you close to me every day.
KAJA (shivering with excitement). Oh, God! God!
SOLNESS (kissing her hair). Kaja—Kaja!
KAJA (sinks down before him). Oh, how good you are to me! How incredibly good you are!
SOLNESS (intensely). Get up! Get up now, I—I hear someone coming!
(He helps her up. She falters over to the desk. MRS. SOLNESS enters by the door on the right. She looks thin and careworn, but traces of former beauty still show. Blonde ringlets. Dressed stylishly, entirely in black. Speaks rather slowly in a plaintive voice.)
MRS. SOLNESS (in the doorway). Halvard!
SOLNESS (turning). Oh, is it you, dear—?
MRS. SOLNESS (with a glance at KAJA). I’m afraid I’m intruding.
SOLNESS. Not a bit. Miss Fosli has one short letter to write.
MRS. SOLNESS. Yes—I see that.
SOLNESS. What did you want me for, Aline?
MRS. SOLNESS. I just wanted to say that Dr. Herdal’s in the living room. Maybe you could join us, Halvard?
SOLNESS (looks suspiciously at her). Hm—is the doctor so anxious to talk with me?
MRS. SOLNESS. No, not exactly anxious. He stopped by to see me, but he’d like to say hello to you too.
SOLNESS (laughing to himself). Yes, I can imagine. Well, then you’d better ask him to wait a while.
MRS. SOLNESS. And you’ll look in on him later?
SOLNESS. Possibly. Later—later, dear. In a while.
MRS. SOLNESS (glancing again at KAJA). Don’t forget now, Halvard. (She leaves, closing the door after her.)
KAJA (softly). Oh, my Lord—she must think the worst of me!
SOLNESS. Oh, certainly not. No more than usual, anyway. Still, it’s best if you go now, Kaja.
KAJA. Yes, I’ve got to go now.
SOLNESS (sternly). And then you’ll settle up that business for me—you hear!
KAJA. Oh, if only it were just up to me, then—
SOLNESS. Listen, I want it settled! Tomorrow the latest!
KAJA (apprehensively). If it doesn’t work out, then I’d rather break off with him.
SOLNESS (explosively). Break off with him! Are you crazy, completely! You’d break it off?
KAJA (in desperation). Yes. I have to—have to stay here with you! I can’t ever leave you! Ever! That’s impossible!
SOLNESS (in an outburst). But damn it—Ragnar! Ragnar’s the one that I—
KAJA (looking at him with terrified eyes). Is it more for Ragnar’s sake that—that you—?
SOLNESS (checking himself). Of course not! Oh, you don’t see what I mean either. (Gently and softly.) Obviously, it’s you that I need here. You above all, Kaja. But that’s precisely why you have to make Ragnar hang onto his job. There, there—run along home now.
KAJA. All right—good night, then.
SOLNESS. Good night. (As she starts out.) Oh, wait—are Ragnar’s drawings in there?
KAJA. Yes, I don’t think he took them along.
SOLNESS. See if you can locate them for me. I could give them a look maybe, after all.
KAJA (in delight). Oh yes, please do!
SOLNESS. For your sake, Kaja, my sweet. Now let’s have them in a hurry, you hear?
(KAJA runs into the drafting room, rummages anxiously in the table drawer, pulls out a portfolio and brings it.)
KAJA. All the drawings are here.
SOLNESS. Fine. Lay them over there on the table.
KAJA (does so). Good night. (Imploringly.) And please—think well of me.
SOLNESS. Oh, you know I do, always. Good night, my dear little Kaja. (Glancing to the right.) Go on now—go!
(MRS. SOLNESS and DR. HERDAL enter through the door on the right. He is a plump, elderly man with a round, complacent face, smooth shaven; he has light, thinning hair, and gold spectacles.)
MRS. SOLNESS (standing in the doorway). Halvard, I can’t keep the doctor any longer.
SOLNESS. Well, come in, then.
MRS. SOLNESS (to KAJA, who is dimming the desk lamp). All finished with the letter, Miss Fosli?
KAJA (confused). The letter—?
SOLNESS. Yes, it was very short.
MRS. SOLNESS. I’m sure it was terribly short.
SOLNESS. You may as well leave, Miss Fosli. And be here on time in the morning.
KAJA. I certainly will. Good night, Mrs. Solness. (She goes out by the hall door.)
MRS. SOLNESS. You’ve certainly been in luck, Halvard, to have gotten hold of that girl.
SOLNESS. Oh yes. She’s useful in all kinds of ways.
MRS. SOLNESS. She looks it.
HERDAL. A clever bookkeeper, too?
SOLNESS. Well—she’s had a lot of experience these past two years. And then she’s willing and eager to take on anything.
MRS. SOLNESS. Yes, that must be such a great comfort—
SOLNESS. It it—especially when one’s so used to doing without.
MRS. SOLNESS (in a tone of mild reproach). Can you really say that, Halvard?
SOLNESS. Ah, my dear Aline, no, no. I beg your pardon.
MRS. SOLNESS. Don’t trouble yourself. Well, Doctor, so you’ll stop in again later and have some tea with us?
HERDAL. As soon as I’ve made that house call, I’ll be back.
MRS. SOLNESS. Thank you. (She goes out the door right.)
SOLNESS. Are you pressed for time, Doctor?
HERDAL. No, not a bit.
SOLNESS. May I have a few words with you?
HERDAL. Yes, by all means.
SOLNESS. Then let’s sit down. (He motions the doctor toward the rocker, and after seating himself in the armchair, looks at him sharply.) Tell me—did you notice anything about Aline?
HERDAL. Just now, you mean, when she was here?
SOLNESS. Yes. With respect to me. Did you notice anything?
HERDAL (smiling). Well, really—one could hardly help noticing that your wife—hm—
SOLNESS. Go on.
HERDAL. That your wife doesn’t think very much of this Miss Fosli.
SOLNESS. Nothing else? I could tell that myself.
HERDAL. And, after all, it’s not so very surprising.
SOLNESS. What?
HERDAL. That she isn’t exactly pleased that you enjoy another woman’s company every day.
SOLNESS. That’s true, you’re right—and so is Aline. But it can’t be changed.
HERDAL. Couldn’t you hire a man instead?
SOLNESS. Just anyone off the street? No, thanks—that isn’t the way I work.
HERDAL. But what if your wife—? When she is so delicate, what if she can’t endure this thing?
SOLNESS. Even so—I’m tempted to say it can’t make a bit of difference. I’ve got to keep Kaja Fosli. Nobody else will do.
HERDAL. Nobody else?
SOLNESS (curtly). No, nobody else.
HERDAL (draws his chair in closer). If I may, Mr. Solness, I’d like to ask you something, just between us.
SOLNESS. Yes, go ahead.
HERDAL. Women, you know—in certain areas they do have a painfully keen intuition—
SOLNESS. That they do. So—?
HERDAL. Well. All right, then. If your wife simply can’t bear this Kaja Fosli—
SOLNESS. Yes, what then?
HERDAL. Hasn’t she perhaps some tiny grounds for this instinctive dislike?
SOLNESS (looks at him and rises). Aha!
HERDAL. Now don’t get excited. But really—hasn’t she?
SOLNESS (his voice clipped and decisive). No.
HERDAL. Not the slightest grounds?
SOLNESS. Nothing, except her own suspicious mind.
HERDAL. I realize you’ve known a good many women in your life.
SOLNESS. I have, yes.
HERDAL. And thought very well of some of them, too.
SOLNESS. Oh yes, that also.
HERDAL. But in this case—there’s nothing of that kind involved?
SOLNESS. No. Nothing whatever—on my side.
HERDAL. But on hers?
SOLNESS. I don’t think you’ve any right to ask about that, Doctor.
HERDAL. We were discussing your wife’s intuition.
SOLNESS. We were, yes. And for that matter—(Dropping his voice.) Aline’s intuition, as you call it—you know, to a certain extent it’s proved itself.
HERDAL. There—see!
SOLNESS. Dr. Herdal—let me tell you a strange story. That is, if you don’t mind listening.
HERDAL. I like listening to strange stories.
SOLNESS. Ah, that’s good. I guess you remember how I took on Knut Brovik and his son here—that time when the old man nearly went under.
HERDAL. I vaguely remember, yes.
SOLNESS. Because, you know, they’re really a clever pair, those two. They’ve got ability, each in his own way. But then the son went out and got engaged. And then, of course, he was all for getting married—and launching his own career as a builder. Because the young people today, that’s all they ever think about.
HERDAL (laughing). Yes, they have this bad habit of pairing off.
SOLNESS. Well, but I can’t be bothered by that. You see, I need Ragnar—and the old man as well. He has a real knack for calculating stresses, cubic content—all that damned detail work.
HERDAL. Of course, that’s important too.
SOLNESS. Yes, it is. But Ragnar, he felt he wanted and he had to be out on his own. There just wasn’t any reasoning with him.
HERDAL. Even so, he stayed on with you.
SOLNESS. Yes, but now listen to what happened. One day she came in, this Kaja Fosli, on some errand for them. First time she’d ever been here. And when I saw those two, how completely wrapped up in each other they were, then the thought struck me: suppose I could get her here in the office, then maybe Ragnar would stay put too.
HERDAL. That was reasonable enough.
SOLNESS. But I didn’t breathe a word of any of this then—just stood looking at her—every ounce of me wishing that I had her here. I made a little friendly conversation about one thing or another. And then she went away.
HERDAL. So?
SOLNESS. But the next day, in the late evening, after old Brovik and Ragnar had gone, she came by to see me again, acting as if we’d already struck a bargain.
HERDAL. Bargain? What about?
SOLNESS. About precisely what I’d been standing there wishing before—even though I hadn’t uttered a word of it.
HERDAL. That is strange.
SOLNESS. Yes, isn’t it? So she wanted to know what her job would be—and whether she’d be starting the very next morning. Things like that.
HERDAL. Don’t you think she did that to be with her fiancé?
SOLNESS. I thought so too, at first. But no, that wasn’t it. From the moment she came here to work, she started drifting away from him.
HERDAL. And over to you?
SOLNESS. Yes, completely. If I look at her when her back is turned, I can tell she feels it. She trembles and quivers if I even come near her. What do you make of it?
HERDAL. Hm—it’s easy enough to explain.
SOLNESS. Well, but the rest of it, then? The fact that she thought I’d told her what I had only wished and willed—all in silence, inwardly. To myself. What do you say about that? Can you explain such a thing, Dr. Herdal?
HERDAL. No, I wouldn’t attempt to.
SOLNESS. I thought as much. That’s why I’ve never cared to discuss it till now. But you see, as time goes on, I’m finding it such a damned nuisance. Here, day after day, I have to keep on pretending that I’m— And then, poor girl, it’s not fair to her. (Furiously.) But I can’t help it! If she runs off—then Ragnar will follow, out on his own.
HERDAL. And you haven’t told your wife this whole story.
SOLNESS. No.
HERDAL. Why in the world haven’t you?
SOLNESS (looking intently at him, his voice constrained). Because I feel that there’s almost a kind of beneficial self-torment in letting Aline do me an injustice.
HERDAL (shaking his head). I don’t understand one blessed word of this.
SOLNESS. Yes, don’t you see—it’s rather like making a small payment on a boundless, incalculable debt—
HERDAL. To your wife?
SOLNESS. Yes. And it always eases the mind a bit. Then you can breathe more freely for a while, you know.
HERDAL. God help me if I understand a word—
SOLNESS (breaking in, and again getting up). Yes, all right—so we won’t speak of it anymore, then. (He meanders across the room, comes back, and stops by the table. Looks at the doctor with a quiet smile.) Now you really think you’ve done a neat job of drawing me out, hm, Doctor?
HERDAL (somewhat upset). Drawing you out? Mr. Solness, I’m still very much in the dark.
SOLNESS. Oh, come now—confess. Because really, you know, it’s been so obvious to me!
HERDAL. What’s so obvious to you?
SOLNESS (slowly, in an undertone). That behind this genial manner, you’re keeping your eye on me.
HERDAL. Am I! Why on earth should I do that?
SOLNESS. Because you think I’m— (Explosively.) Oh, dammit! You think the same as Aline about me.
HERDAL. But what does she think of you, then?
SOLNESS. She’s begun to think that I’m—I’m somewhat ill.
HERDAL. Ill! You! She’s never breathed a word of it to me. What is it that’s wrong with you, then?
SOLNESS (leans over the back of the chair and whispers). Aline’s got the idea that I’m mad. That’s what she thinks.
HERDAL (rising). But my dear Mr. Solness—!
SOLNESS. Yes, on my soul she does! And she has you thinking the same. Oh, I tell you, Doctor—I can see it in you so clear, so clear. Because I’m not so easily fooled, I’m not, I can tell you that.
HERDAL (stares at him, amazed). I’ve never, Mr. Solness—never had the least inkling of anything like this.
SOLNESS (with a skeptical smile). Really? Not at all?
HERDAL. No, never! And your wife certainly hasn’t either—I’d almost swear to that.
SOLNESS. Well, you’d better not. Because, you know, maybe, in a way—maybe she’s not so far off.
HERDAL. Look, I’m telling you now, really—!
SOLNESS (breaking in, with a sweep of his hand). All right there, Doctor—then let’s not go on with this. Each to his own, that’s the best. (His tone changes to quiet amusement.) But now listen, Doctor—hm—
HERDAL. Yes?
SOLNESS. If you don’t think, then, that I’m, somehow—ill—or crazy or mad and that sort of thing—
HERDAL. Then what, hm?
SOLNESS. Then I guess you must imagine that I’m a very happy man.
HERDAL. Is that no more than imagination?
SOLNESS (with a laugh). Oh no, not a chance! God forbid! Just think—to be Solness, the master builder! Halvard Solness! Oh, thanks a lot!
HERDAL. Yes, I must say, to me it seems that you’ve had luck with you to an incredible degree.
SOLNESS (masking a wan smile). So I have. Can’t complain of that.
HERDAL. First, that hideous old robbers’ den burned down for you. And that was really a stroke of luck.
SOLNESS (seriously). It was Aline’s family home that burned—don’t forget.
HERDAL. Yes, for her it must have been a heavy loss.
SOLNESS. She hasn’t recovered right to this day. Not in all these twelve–thirteen years.
HERDAL. What followed after, that must have been the worst blow for her.
SOLNESS. The two together.
HERDAL. But you yourself—you rose from those ashes.
You began as a poor boy from the country—and now you stand the top man in your field. Ah, yes, Mr. Solness, you’ve surely had luck on your side.
SOLNESS (glancing nervously at him). Yes, but that’s exactly why I’ve got this horrible fear.
HERDAL. Fear? For having luck on your side?
SOLNESS. It racks me, this fear—it racks me, morning and night. Because someday things have to change, you’ll see.
HERDAL. Oh, rot! Where’s this change coming from?
SOLNESS (with firm conviction). From the young.
HERDAL. Hah! The young! I’d hardly say that you’re obsolete. No, you’ve probably never been better established than you are now.
SOLNESS. The change is coming. I can sense it. And I feel that it’s coming closer. Someone or other will set up the cry: Step back for me! And all the others will storm in after, shaking their fists and shouting: Make room—make room—make room! Yes, Doctor, you better look out. Someday youth will come here, knocking at the door—
HERDAL (laughing). Well, good Lord, what if they do?
SOLNESS. What if they do? Well, then it’s the end of Solness, the master builder.
(A knock at the door to the left.)
SOLNESS (with a start). What’s that? Did you hear it?
HERDAL. Somebody’s knocking.
SOLNESS (loudly). Come in!
(HILDA WANGEL enters from the hall. She is of medium height, supple and well-formed. Slight sunburn. Dressed in hiking clothes, with shortened skirt, sailor blouse open at the throat, and a little sailor hat. She has a knapsack on her back, a plaid in a strap, and a long alpenstock.)
HILDA (goes directly to SOLNESS, her eyes shining with happiness). Good evening!
SOLNESS (looking hesitantly at her). Good evening—
HILDA (laughing). I almost think you don’t recognize me!
SOLNESS. No—really—I must say, just at the moment—
HERDAL (coming over). But I recognize you, young lady—
HILDA (delighted). Oh no! It’s you, that—?
HERDAL. That’s right, it’s me. (To SOLNESS.) We met up at one of the mountain lodges last summer. (To HILDA.) What happened to all those other ladies?
HILDA. Oh, they went off down the west slope.
HERDAL. They didn’t quite like all our fun in the evenings.
HILDA. No, they certainly didn’t.
HERDAL (shaking his finger at her). Of course, we can’t quite say you didn’t flirt with us a bit.
HILDA. I’d a lot rather do that than sit knitting knee socks with all the old hens.
HERDAL (laughing). I couldn’t agree with you more!
SOLNESS. Did you just get in town this evening?
HILDA. Yes, just now.
HERDAL. All by yourself, Miss Wangel?
HILDA. Of course!
SOLNESS. Wangel? Is your name Wangel?
HILDA (looks at him with amused surprise). Well, I should hope so.
SOLNESS. Then aren’t you the daughter of the public health officer up at Lysanger?
HILDA (still amused). Sure. Whose daughter did you think I was?
SOLNESS. Ah, so that’s where we met, up there. The summer I went up and built a tower on the old church.
HILDA (more serious). Yes, it was then.
SOLNESS. Well, that’s a long time back.
HILDA (her eyes fixed on him). It’s exactly ten years to the day.
SOLNESS. I’d swear you weren’t any more than a child then.
HILDA (carelessly). Around twelve—thirteen, maybe.
HERDAL. Is this the first time you’ve been here in town, Miss Wangel?
HILDA. Yes, that’s right.
SOLNESS. And you probably don’t know anyone, hm?
HILDA. No one but you. Yes, and of course your wife.
SOLNESS. Then you know her too?
HILDA. Just slightly. We were together a few days at that health resort.
SOLNESS. Ah, up there.
HILDA. She told me please to visit her if I ever came down into town. (Smiles.) Even though she really didn’t have to.
SOLNESS. Funny she never spoke of it—
(HILDA puts her stick down by the stove, slips off the knapsack, and sets it and the plaid on the sofa. DR. HERDAL tries to assist. SOLNESS stands, gazing at her.)
HILDA (going up to him). So now, if I may, I’d like to stay here overnight.
SOLNESS. I’m sure that can be arranged.
HILDA. ‘Cause I haven’t any other clothes, except what I’ve got on. Oh, and a set of underthings in my knapsack. But they better be washed. They’re real grimy.
SOLNESS. Oh, well, that’s easy to manage. Just let me speak to my wife—
HERDAL. Then I’ll go on to my house call.
SOLNESS. Yes, do that. And stop back again later.
HERDAL (playfully, with a glance at HILDA). Oh, you can bet I will! (Laughing.) You read the future all right, Mr. Solness!
SOLNESS. How so?
HERDAL. Youth did come along, knocking at your door.
SOLNESS (buoyantly). Yes, but that was something else completely.
HERDAL. Oh yes, yes. Definitely!
(He goes out the hall door. SOLNESS opens the door on the right and calls into the room beyond.)
SOLNESS. Aline! Would you come in here, please. A Miss Wangel is here, whom you know.
MRS. SOLNESS (appearing at the door). Who did you say? (Sees HILDA.) Oh, is it you, then? (Goes over and takes her hand.) So you’ve come to town after all.
SOLNESS. Miss Wangel’s just arrived. And she’s wondering if she might stay here overnight.
MRS. SOLNESS. Here with us? Why, of course.
SOLNESS. To get her clothes fixed up a bit, you know.
MRS. SOLNESS. I’ll do what I can for you. It’s no more than my duty. Is your trunk on the way?
HILDA. I haven’t any trunk.
MRS. SOLNESS. Well, it’ll all work out, I guess. Now if you’ll just make yourself at home here with my husband a while, I’ll see about getting a room comfortable for you.
SOLNESS. Can’t we give up one of the nurseries? They’re all ready and waiting.
MRS. SOLNESS. Oh yes. We’ve more than enough room there. (To HILDA.) Just sit down and rest a bit. (She goes out, right.)
(HILDA, her hands behind her back, wanders around the room, looking at one thing and another. SOLNESS stands in front of the table, his hands also behind his back, following her with his eyes.)
HILDA (stops and looks at him). You have several nurseries?
SOLNESS. There are three nurseries in the house.
HILDA. That’s plenty. You must have an awful lot of children.
SOLNESS. No. We have no children. But now you can be the child here for a while.
HILDA. Yes, for tonight. There won’t be a peep out of me. I’m going to try to sleep like a stone.
SOLNESS. Yes, you’re pretty tired, I’ll bet.
HILDA. Oh no! But, after all— You know it is so ravishing just to lie and dream.
SOLNESS. Do you often dream at night?
HILDA. Oh yes! Nearly always.
SOLNESS. What do you dream about most?
HILDA. I won’t tell you, not tonight. Some other time—maybe. (She starts wandering about the room again, stops at the desk, and fingers the books and papers a little.)
SOLNESS (approaching her). Something you’re looking for?
HILDA. No, it’s only to see all this here. (Turning.) But I shouldn’t, maybe?
SOLNESS. Yes, go ahead.
HILDA. Is it you that writes in this big ledger?
SOLNESS. No, that’s the bookkeeper.
HILDA. A woman?
SOLNESS (smiles). Of course.
HILDA. Someone you have working here?
HILDA. Is she married?
SOLNESS. No, she’s single.
HILDA. I see.
SOLNESS. But I understand she’s getting married now quite soon.
HILDA. That’s very nice—for her.
SOLNESS. But not so nice for me. Because then I’ll have no one to help me.
HILDA. Can’t you find somebody else who’s just as good?
SOLNESS. Maybe you’d like to stay here and—and write in the ledger?
HILDA (giving him a dark look). Yes, wouldn’t that suit you! No, thanks—we’re not having any of that. (She strolls across the room again and settles into the rocker. SOLNESS follows her over to the table. HILDA goes on in the same tone.) Because there are plenty of other things to be done around here. (Looks up at him, smiling.) Don’t you think so too?
SOLNESS. Why, of course. First of all, I expect you’ll want to tour the shops and do yourself up in style.
HILDA (amused). No, somehow I think I’ll pass that up.
SOLNESS. Oh?
HILDA. Yes—since, you see, I’m completely broke.
SOLNESS (laughing). No trunk, or money either!
HILDA. Nothing of both. But shoot! What’s the difference, anyway?
SOLNESS. Ah, I really like you for that!
HILDA. Only for that?
SOLNESS. Among other things. (Sits in the armchair.) Is your father still living?
HILDA. Yes, still living.
SOLNESS. And are you thinking of studying here now?
HILDA. No, that’s not what I’d thought.
SOLNESS. But you are staying here for some time, I suppose?
HILDA. Depends how things go. (A pause, while she sits rocking and looking at him half seriously, half with a suppressed smile. She then takes off her hat and places it on the table before her.) Mr. Solness?
SOLNESS. Yes?
HILDA. Are you very forgetful?
SOLNESS. Forgetful? No, not as far as I know.
HILDA. But do you absolutely not want to talk to me about what happened up there?
SOLNESS (with a momentary start). Up at Lysanger? (Carelessly.) Well, there’s not much to talk about, I’d say.
HILDA (gazing reproachfully at him). How can you sit there and say that!
SOLNESS. All right, you tell me about it then.
HILDA. When the tower was finished, we had a big function in town.
SOLNESS. Yes, that’s one day I won’t soon forget.
HILDA (smiling). Won’t you? So good of you!
SOLNESS. Good?
HILDA. They had music in the churchyard. And there were hundreds and hundreds of people. We schoolgirls were all dressed in white, and we had flags, all of us.
SOLNESS. Oh yes, the flags—I remember them, all right.
HILDA. Then you climbed straight up the scaffolding, straight to the very top—and you had a great wreath with you—and you hung it up high on the weather vane.
SOLNESS (interrupting brusquely). I did that back in those days. It’s an old custom.
HILDA. It was so wonderfully thrilling to stand below, looking up at you. What if he slipped and fell—he, the master builder himself!
SOLNESS (as if thrusting the subject aside). Yes, all right, that could have happened too. Because one of those little devils in white—how she carried on, screaming up at me—
HILDA (eyes sparkling in delight). “Hurray for Mr. Solness, the master builder!” Yes!
SOLNESS. Waving her flag and flourishing it till my—my head nearly spun at the sight of it.
HILDA (growing more quiet and serious). That little devil —that was me.
SOLNESS (peering fixedly at her). I’m sure of that now.
HILDA (vivacious again). It was so terribly thrilling and lovely. I’d never dreamt that anywhere in the world there was a builder who could build a tower so high. And then, that you could stand there right at the top, large as life! And that you weren’t the least bit dizzy! That’s what made me so—almost dizzy to realize.
SOLNESS. What makes you so sure I wasn’t—?
HILDA (deprecatingly). Oh, honestly—come on! I felt it within me. How else could you stand up there singing?
SOLNESS (stares astonished at her). Singing? I sang?
HILDA. Yes, really you did.
SOLNESS (shaking his head). I’ve never sung a note in my life.
HILDA. Yes, you were singing then. It sounded like harps in the air.
SOLNESS (thoughtfully). It’s something very peculiar—this.
HILDA (silent a moment, then looking at him and speaking softly). But then—afterwards—came the real thing.
SOLNESS. The real thing?
HILDA (her vivacity kindling again). Oh, now I don’t have to remind you of that!
SOLNESS. Better give me a little reminder there, too.
HILDA. Don’t you remember a big banquet for you at the club?
SOLNESS. Of course. That must have been the same afternoon—because I left the next morning.
HILDA. And after the club, you were asked home to our place for the evening.
SOLNESS. You’re right, Miss Wangel. Amazing how you can keep all these details clear in your mind.
HILDA. Details! Oh, you! I suppose it was just another detail that I was alone in the room when you came in?
SOLNESS. Were you?
HILDA (not answering him). You didn’t call me any little devil then.
SOLNESS. No, I guess not.
HILDA. You said I was lovely in my white dress—and that I looked like a little princess.
SOLNESS. I’m sure you did, Miss Wangel. And then, feeling the way I did that day, so light and free—
HILDA. And then you said that when I grew up, I could be your princess.
SOLNESS (with a short laugh). Really—I said that too?
HILDA. Yes, you did. And when I asked how long I should wait, then you said you’d come back in ten years, like a troll, and carry me off—to Spain or someplace. And there you promised to buy me a kingdom.
SOLNESS (as before). Well, after a good meal one’s not in a mood to count pennies. But did I really say all that?
HILDA (laughing softly). Yes, and you also said what the kingdom would be called.
SOLNESS. Oh? What?
HILDA. It was going to be the Kingdom of Orangia, you said.
SOLNESS. Ah, that’s a delectable name.
HILDA. No, I didn’t like it at all. It was as if you were out to make fun of me.
SOLNESS. But I hadn’t the slightest intention to.
HILDA. No, it wouldn’t seem so—not after what you did next—
SOLNESS. What on earth did I do next?
HILDA. Well, this is really the limit if you’ve even forgotten that! A thing like that I think anybody ought to remember.
SOLNESS. All right, just give me a tiny hint, then, maybe—hm?
HILDA (looking intently at him). You caught me up and kissed me, Mr. Solness.
SOLNESS (open-mouthed, getting up). I did!
HILDA. Oh yes, that you did. You held me in both your arms and bent me back and kissed me—many times.
SOLNESS. But, my dear Miss Wangel—!
HILDA (rising). You can’t deny it, can you?
SOLNESS. Yes, I most emphatically do deny it!
HILDA (looking scornfully at him). I see. (She turns and walks slowly over close by the stove and remains standing motionless, face averted from him, hands behind her back. A short pause.)
SOLNESS (going cautiously over behind her). Miss Wangel—? (HILDA stays silent, not moving.) Don’t stand there like a statue. These things you’ve been saying—you must have dreamed them. (Putting his hand on her arm.) Now listen—(HILDA moves her arm impatiently. SOLNESS appears struck by a sudden thought.) Or else—wait a minute! There’s something strange in back of all this, you’ll see! (In a hushed but emphatic voice.) This all must have been in my thoughts. I must have willed it. Wished it. Desired it. And so—Doesn’t that make sense? (HILDA remains still. SOLNESS speaks impatiently.) Oh, all right, for God’s sake—so I did the thing too!
HILDA (turning her head a bit, but without looking at him). Then you confess?
SOLNESS. Yes. Whatever you please.
HILDA. That you threw your arms around me?
SOLNESS. All right!
HILDA. And bent me back.
SOLNESS. Way over back.
HILDA. And kissed me.
SOLNESS. Yes, I did it.
HILDA. Many times?
SOLNESS. As many as you ever could want.
HILDA (whirling about to face him, the sparkle once again in her delighted eyes). There, you see—I did get it out of you in the end!
SOLNESS (with a thin smile). Yes—imagine my forgetting something like that.
HILDA (sulking a little once more, moving away from him). Oh, you’ve kissed a good many in your time, I think.
SOLNESS. No, you mustn’t believe that of me.
(HILDA sits in the armchair. SOLNESS stands leaning on the rocking chair, watching her closely.)
SOLNESS. Miss Wangel?
HILDA. Yes.
SOLNESS. How was it, now? What went on next—with us?
HILDA. Nothing else went on. You know that well enough. Because then all the others came in, and—ffft!
SOLNESS. That’s right. The others came. And I could forget that too.
HILDA. Oh, you haven’t forgotten a thing. You’re just a little ashamed. Nobody forgets this kind of thing.
SOLNESS. No, it wouldn’t seem likely.
HILDA (looking at him, vivacious again). Or maybe you’ve even forgotten what day it was?
SOLNESS. What day—?
HILDA. Yes, what day you hung the wreath on the tower? Well? Quick, say it!
SOLNESS. Hm—I guess I’ve forgotten the actual date. I only know it was ten years ago. Sometime in the fall.
HILDA (nodding her head slowly several times). It was ten years ago. The nineteenth of September.
SOLNESS. Ah, yes, it must have been about then. So you’ve remembered that too! (Hesitates.) But wait a minute—! Yes—today it’s also the nineteenth of September.
HILDA. Yes, it is. And the ten years are up. And you didn’t come—as you promised me.
SOLNESS. Promised you? Threatened, don’t you mean?
HILDA. It never struck me as some kind of threat.
SOLNESS. Well, teased that I would, then.
HILDA. Is that all you wanted? To tease me?
SOLNESS. Well, or to joke a bit with you. then! Lord knows I don’t remember. But it must have been something like that—for you were only a child at the time.
HILDA. Oh, maybe I wasn’t so much of a child either. Not quite the little kitten you thought.
SOLNESS (looks searchingly at her). Did you really in all seriousness get the idea I’d be coming back?
HILDA (hiding a rather roguish smile). Of course! That’s what I expected.
SOLNESS. That I’d come to your home and carry you off with me?
HILDA. Just like a troll, yes.
SOLNESS. And make you a princess?
HILDA. It’s what you promised.
SOLNESS. And give you a kingdom, too?
HILDA (gazing at the ceiling). Why not? After all, it didn’t have to be the everyday, garden-variety kingdom.
SOLNESS. But something else that was just as good.
HILDA. Oh, at least just as good. (Glancing at him.) If you could build the highest church tower in the world, it seemed to me you certainly should be able to come up with some kind of kingdom, too.
SOLNESS. (shaking his head). I just can’t figure you out, Miss Wangel.
HILDA. You can’t? I think it’s so simple.
SOLNESS. No, I can’t make out whether you mean all you say—or whether you’re just having some fun—
HILDA (smiles). Fooling around—and teasing, maybe. I too?
SOLNESS. Exactly. Making fools—of both of us. (Looking at her.) How long have you known I was married?
HILDA. Right from the start. Why do you ask about that?
SOLNESS (casually). Oh, nothing—just wondered. (Lowering his voice, with a straight look at her.) Why have you come?
HILDA. I want my kingdom. Time’s up.
SOLNESS (laughing in spite of himself). You are the limit!
HILDA (gaily). Give us the kingdom, come on! (Drumming with her fingers.) One kingdom, on the line!
SOLNESS (pushing the rocking chair closer and sitting). Seriously now—why have you come? What do you really want to do here?
HILDA. Oh, to begin with, I want to go around and look at everything you’ve built.
SOLNESS. That’ll keep you going a while.
HILDA. Yes, you’ve built such an awful lot.
SOLNESS. I have, yes. Mainly these later years.
HILDA. Many more church towers? Enormously high ones?
SOLNESS. No, I don’t build any church towers now. Nor churches either.
HILDA. What do you build then?
SOLNESS. Homes for human beings.
HILDA (reflectively). Couldn’t you put a small—a small church tower up over the homes as well?
SOLNESS (with a start). What do you mean by that?
HILDA. I mean—something pointing—free, sort of, into the sky. With a weather vane way up in the reeling heights.
SOLNESS (musing). How odd that you should say that. It’s exactly what, most of all, I’ve wanted.
HILDA (impatiently). But why don’t you do it, then!
SOLNESS (shaking his head). Because people won’t have it.
HILDA. Imagine—not to want that!
SOLNESS (more lightly). But I’m building a new home now—right opposite this.
HILDA. For yourself?
SOLNESS. Yes. It’s almost ready. And it has a tower.
HILDA. A high one?
HILDA. Very high?
SOLNESS. People are bound to say, too high. At least for a home.
HILDA. I’ll be out looking at that tower first thing in the morning.
SOLNESS (sitting with his hand propping his cheek, gazing at her). Miss Wangel, tell me—what’s your name? Your first name, I mean?
HILDA. You know—it’s Hilda.
SOLNESS (as before). Hilda? So?
HILDA. You don’t remember that? You called me Hilda yourself—the day when you acted up.
SOLNESS. I did that, too?
HILDA. But then you said “little Hilda,” and I didn’t care for that.
SOLNESS. So, Miss Hilda, you didn’t care for that.
HILDA. Not at such a time, no. But—Princess Hilda—that’s going to sound quite nice, I think.
SOLNESS. No doubt. Princess Hilda of—of that kingdom, what was it called?
HILDA. Ish! I’m through with that stupid kingdom! I want a different one, completely.
SOLNESS (who has leaned back in his chair, goes on studying her). Isn’t it strange—? The more I think about it, the more it seems to me that all these years I’ve been going around tormented by—hm—
HILDA. By what?
SOLNESS. By a search for something—some old experience I thought I’d forgotten. But I’ve never had an inkling of what it could be.
HILDA. You should have tied a knot in your handkerchief, Mr. Solness.
SOLNESS. Then I’d only wind up puzzling over what the knot might mean.
HILDA. Yes, there’s even that kind of troll in the world too.
SOLNESS (slowly gets up). It’s really so good that you’ve come to me now.
HILDA (with a probing look). Is it?
SOLNESS. I’ve been so alone here—and felt so utterly helpless watching it all. (Dropping his voice.) I should tell you—I’ve begun to grow afraid—so awfully afraid of the young.
HILDA (sniffing scornfully). Pooh! Are the young anything to fear!
SOLNESS. Decidedly. That’s why I’ve locked and bolted myself in. (Mysteriously.) Wait and see, the young will come here, thundering at the door! Breaking in on me!
HILDA. Then I think you should go out and open your door to the young.
SOLNESS. Open the door?
HILDA. Yes. Let them come in to you—as friends.
SOLNESS. No, no, no! The young—don’t you see, they’re retribution—the spearhead of change—as if they came marching under some new flag.
HILDA (rises, looks at him, her lips trembling as she speaks). Can you find a use for me, Mr. Solness?
SOLNESS. Oh, of course I can! Because I feel that you’ve come, too, almost—under some new flag. And then it’s youth against youth—!
(DR. HERDAL comes in by the hall door.)
HERDAL. So? You and Miss Wangel still here?
SOLNESS. Yes. We’ve had a great many things to talk about.
HILDA. Both old and new.
HERDAL. Oh, have you?
HILDA. Really, it’s been such fun. Because Mr. Solness—he’s got just a fantastic memory. He remembers the tiniest little details in a flash.
(MRS. SOLNESS enters by the door to the right.)
MRS. SOLNESS. All right, Miss Wangel, your room’s all ready for you now.
HILDA. Oh, how kind of you.
SOLNESS (to his wife). Nursery?
MRS. SOLNESS. Yes, the middle one. But first we ought to have a bite to eat, don’t you think?
SOLNESS (nodding to HILDA). So Hilda sleeps in the nursery, then.
MRS. SOLNESS (looking at him). Hilda?
SOLNESS. Yes, Miss Wangel’s name is Hilda. I knew her when she was small.
MRS. SOLNESS. No, did you really, Halvard? Well—shall we? Supper’s waiting.
(She takes DR. HERDAL’s arm and they go out, right. HILDA meanwhile gathers up her hiking gear.)
HILDA (softly and quickly to SOLNESS). Is that true, what you said? Can you find a use for me?
SOLNESS (taking her things away from her). You’re the one person I’ve needed the most.
HILDA (clasping her hands and looking at him with wondering eyes full of joy). Oh, you beautiful, big world—!
SOLNESS (tensely). What—?
HILDA. Then I have my kingdom!
SOLNESS (involuntarily). Hilda—!
HILDA (her lips suddenly trembling again). Almost—that’s what I meant.
(She goes out to the right, with SOLNESS following.)