[Rise with difficulty.] Then I am to pa.s.s out of life without any certainty? Without a gleam of happiness? Without any faith or trust in Ragnar? Without having seen a single piece of work of his doing? Is that to be the way of it?

SOLNESS.

[Turns half aside, and mutters.] H'm--don't ask more just now.

BROVIK.

I must have an answer to this one question. Am I to pa.s.s out of life in such utter poverty?

SOLNESS.

[Seems to struggle with himself; finally he says, in a low but firm voice:] You must pa.s.s out of life as best you can.

BROVIK.

Then be it so. [He goes up the room.

SOLNESS.

[Following him, half is desperation.] Don't you understand that I cannot help it? I am what I am, and I cannot change my nature!

BROVIK.

No; I suppose that you can't. [Reels and supports himself against the sofa-table.] May I have a gla.s.s of water?

SOLNESS.

By all means. [Fills a gla.s.s and hands it to him.

BROVIK.

Thanks. [Drinks and puts the gla.s.s down again.

[SOLNESS goes up and opens the door of the draughtsmen's office.

SOLNESS.

Ragnar--you must come and take your father home.

Ragnar rises quickly. He and KAIA come into the work-room.

RAGNAR.

What is the matter, father?

BROVIK.

Give me your arm. Now let us go.

RAGNAR.

Very well. You had better put your things on, too, Kaia.

SOLNESS.

Miss Fosli must stay--just for a moment. There is a letter I want written.

BROVIK.

[Looks at SOLNESS.] Good night. Sleep well--if you can.

SOLNESS.

Good night.

[BROVIK and RAGNAR go out by the hall-door. KAIA goes to the desk. SOLNESS stands with bent head, to the right, by the arm-chair.

KAIA.

[Dubiously.] Is there any letter?

SOLNESS.

[Curtly.] No, of course not. [Looks sternly at her.] Kaia!

KAIA.

[Anxiously, in a low voice.] Yes!