ESS.] That was a very ugly thing to do.

SOLNESS.

Do you think so, too?

HILDA.

Yes, it was horribly ugly--and hard and bad and cruel as well.

SOLNESS.

Oh, you don't understand my position.

HILDA.

No matter--. I say you ought not to be like that.

SOLNESS.

You said yourself, only just now, that no one but _I_ ought to be
allowed to build.

HILDA.

_I_ may say such things--but you must not.

SOLNESS.

I most of all, surely, who have paid so dear for my position.

HILDA.

Oh yes--with what you call domestic comfort--and that sort of thing.

SOLNESS.

And with my peace of soul into the bargain.

HILDA.

[Rising.] Peace of soul! [With feeling.] Yes, yes, you are right in
that! Poor Mr. Solness--you fancy that--

SOLNESS.

[With a quiet, chuckling laugh.] Just sit down again, Hilda, and I'll
tell you something funny.

HILDA.

[Sits down; with intent interest.] Well?

SOLNESS.

It sounds such a ludicrous little thing; for, you see, the whole story
turns upon nothing but a crack in the chimney.

HILDA.

No more than that?

SOLNESS.

No, not to begin with.

[He moves a chair nearer to HILDA and sits down.

HILDA.

[Impatiently, taps on her knee.] Well, now for the crack in the chimney!

SOLNESS.

I had noticed the split in the flue long, long before the fire. Every
time I went up into the attic, I looked to see if it was still there.

HILDA.

And it was?

SOLNESS.

Yes; for no one else knew about it.

HILDA.

And you said nothing?

SOLNESS.

Nothing.

HILDA.

And did not think of repairing the flue either?

SOLNESS.

Oh yes, I thought about it--but never got any further. Every time I
intended to set to work, it seemed just as if a hand held me back. Not
to-day, I thought--to-morrow; and nothing ever came of it.

HILDA.

But why did you keep putting it off like that?

SOLNESS.

Because I was revolving something in my mind. [Slowly, and in a low
voice.] Through that little black crack in the chimney, I might,
perhaps, force my way upwards--as a builder.

HILDA.

[Looking straight in front of her.] That must have been thrilling.

SOLNESS.

Almost irresistible--quite irresistible. For at that time it appeared
to me a perfectly simple and straightforward matter. I would have had
it happen in the winter-time--a little before midday. I was to be out
driving Aline in the sleigh. The serv