t go to them after all. It is my duty.

HILDA.

Can't you ask the ladies to go away?

MRS. SOLNESS.

No, that would never do. Now that they are here, it is my duty to see
them. But do you stay out here in the meantime--and receive him when he
comes.

DR. HERDAL.

And try to occupy his attention as long as possible--

MRS. SOLNESS.

Yes, do, dear Miss Wangel. Keep as firm hold of him as ever you can.

HILDA.

Would it not be best for you to do that?

MRS. SOLNESS.

Yes; God knows that is my duty. But when one has duties in so many
directions--

DR. HERDAL.

[Looks towards the garden.] There he is coming.

MRS. SOLNESS.

And I have to go in!

DR. HERDAL.

[To HILDA.] Don't say anything about my being here.

HILDA.

Oh no! I daresay I shall find something else to talk to Mr. Solness
about.

MRS. SOLNESS.

And be sure you keep firm hold of him. I believe you can do it best.

[MRS. SOLNESS and DR. HERDAL go into the house. HILDA remains
standing on the verandah. SOLNESS comes from the garden, up
the flight of steps.

SOLNESS.

Somebody wants me, I hear.

HILDA.

Yes; it is I, Mr. Solness.

SOLNESS.

Oh, is it you, Hilda? I was afraid it might be Aline or the Doctor.

HILDA.

You are very easily frightened, it seems!

SOLNESS.

Do you think so?

HILDA.

Yes; people say that you are afraid to climb about--on the scaffoldings,
you know.

SOLNESS.

Well, that is quite a special thing.

HILDA.

Then it is true that you are afraid to do it?

SOLNESS.

Yes, I am.

HILDA.

Afraid of falling down and killing yourself?

SOLNESS.

No, not of that.

HILDA.

Of what, then?

SOLNESS.

I am afraid of retribution, Hilda.

HILDA.

Of retribution? [Shakes her head.] I don't understand that.

SOLNESS.

Sit down, and I will tell you something.

HILDA.

Yes, do! At once!

[She sits on a stool by the railing, and looks expectantly
at him.

SOLNESS.

[Throws his hat on the table.] You know that I began by building
churches.

HILDA.

[Nods.] I know that well.

SOLNESS.

For, you see, I came as a boy from a pious home in the country; and so
it seemed to me that this church-building was the noblest task I could
set myself.

HILDA.

Yes, yes.

SOLNESS.

And I venture to say that I built those poor little churches with such
honest and warm and heartfel