so--can't you tell the least little bit
of a lie for once in a way?

SOLNESS.

A lie? [Raging.] Hilda--take those devil's drawings out of my sight!

HILDA.

[Draws the portfolio a little nearer to herself.] Well, well,
well--don't bite me.--You talk of trolls--but I think you go on like a
troll yourself. [Looks round.] Where do you keep your pen and ink?

SOLNESS.

There is nothing of the sort in here.

HILDA.

[Goes towards the door.] But in the office where that young lady is--

SOLNESS.

Stay where you are, Hilda!--I ought to tell a lie, you say. Oh yes, for
the sake of his old father I might well do that--for in my time I have
crushed him, trodden him under foot--

HILDA.

Him, too?

SOLNESS.

I needed room for myself. But this Ragnar--he must on no account be
allowed to come to the front.

HILDA.

Poor fellow, there is surely no fear of that. If he has nothing in him--

SOLNESS.

[Comes closer, looks at her, and whispers.] If Ragnar Brovik gets his
chance, he will strike me to the earth. Crush me--as I crushed his
father.

HILDA.

Crush you? Has he the ability for that?

SOLNESS.

Yes, you may depend upon it he has the ability! He is the younger
generation that stands ready to knock at my door--to make an end of
Halvard Solness.

HILDA.

[Looks at him with quiet reproach.] And yet you would bar him out. Fie,
Mr. Solness!

SOLNESS.

The fight I have been fighting has cost heart's blood enough.--And I am
afraid, too, that the helpers and servers will not obey me any longer.

HILDA.

Then you must go ahead without them. There is nothing else for it.

SOLNESS.

It is hopeless, Hilda. The luck is bound to turn. A little sooner or a
little later. Retribution is inexorable.

HILDA.

[In distress, putting her hands over her ears.] Don't talk like that! Do
you want to kill me? To take from me what is more than my life?

SOLNESS.

And what is that?

HILDA.

The longing to see you great. To see you, with a wreath in your hand,
high, high up upon a church-tower. [Calm again.] Come, out with your
pencil now. You must have a pencil about you?

SOLNESS.

[Takes out his pocket-book.] I have one here.

HILDA.

[Lays the portfolio on the sofa-table.] Very well. Now let us two sit
down here, Mr. Solness. [SOLNESS seats himself at the table. HILDA
stands behind him, leaning over the back of the chair.] And now we
well write on the dra