SOLNESS.

Yes. Suppose the fault was mine--in a certain sense.

HILDA.

Your fault! The fire!

SOLNESS.

All of it; the whole thing. And yet, perhaps--I may not have had anything to do with it.

HILDA.

[Looks at him with a troubled expression.] Oh, Mr. Solness--if you can talk like that, I am afraid you must be--ill after all.

SOLNESS.

H'm--I don't think I shall ever be of quite sound mind on that point.

RAGNAR BROVIK cautiously opens the little door in the left- hand corner. HILDA comes forward.

RAGNAR.

[When he sees Hilda.] Oh. I beg pardon, Mr. Solness---- [He makes a movement to withdraw.

SOLNESS.

No, no, don't go. Let us get it over.

RAGNAR.

Oh, yes--if only we could.

SOLNESS.

I hear your father is no better?

RAGNAR.

Father is fast growing weaker--and therefore I beg and implore you to write a few kind words for me on one of the plans! Something for father to read before he--

SOLNESS.

[Vehemently.] I won't hear anything more about those drawings of yours!

RAGNAR.

Have you looked at them?

SOLNESS.

Yes--I have.

RAGNAR.

And they are good for nothing? And _I_ am good for nothing, too?

SOLNESS.

[Evasively.] Stay here with me, Ragnar. You shall have everything your own way. And then you can marry Kaia, and live at your ease--and happily too, who knows? Only don't think of building on your own account.

RAGNAR.

Well, well, then I must go home and tell father what you say--I promised I would.--Is this what I am to tell father--before he dies?

SOLNESS.

[With a groan.] Oh tell him--tell him what you will, for me. Best to say nothing at all to him! [With a sudden outburst.] I cannot do anything else, Ragnar!

RAGNAR.

May I have the drawings to take with me?

SOLNESS.

Yes, take them--take them by all means! They are lying there on the table.

RAGNAR.