t devotion that--that--

HILDA.

That--? Well?

SOLNESS.

Well, that I think that he ought to have been pleased with me.

HILDA.

He? What he?

SOLNESS.

He who was to have the churches, of course! He to whose honour and glory
they were dedicated.

HILDA.

Oh, indeed! But are you certain, then, that--that he was not--pleased
with you?

SOLNESS.

[Scornfully.] He pleased with me! How can you talk so, Hilda? He who
gave the troll in me leave to lord it just as it pleased. He who bade
them be at hand to serve me, both day and might--all these--all these--

HILDA.

Devils--

SOLNESS.

Yes, of both kinds. Oh no, he made me feel clearly enough that he was not
pleased with me. [Mysteriously.] You see, that was really the reason why
he made the old house burn down.

HILDA.

Was that why?

SOLNESS.

Yes, don't you understand? He wanted to give me the chance of becoming
an accomplished master in my own sphere--so that I might build all the
more glorious churches for him. At first I did not understand what he
was driving at; but all of a sudden it flashed upon me.

HILDA.

When was that?

SOLNESS.

It was when I was building the church-tower up at Lysanger.

HILDA.

I thought so.

SOLNESS.

For you see, Hilda--up there, amidst those new surroundings, I used to
go about musing and pondering within myself. Then I saw plainly why he
had taken my little children from me. It was that I should have nothing
else to attach myself to. No such thing as love and happiness, you
understand. I was to be only a master builder--nothing else, and all my
life long I was to go on building for him. [Laughs.] But I can tell you
nothing came of that!

HILDA.

What did you do then?

SOLNESS.

First of all, I searched and tried my own heart--

HILDA.

And then?

SOLNESS.

The I did the impossible--I, no less than he.

HILDA.

The impossible?

SOLNESS.

I had never before been able to climb up to a great, free height. But
that day I did it.

HILDA.

[Leaping up.] Yes, yes, you did!

SOLNESS.

And when I stood there, high over everything, and was hanging the wreath
over the vane, I said to him: Hear me now, thou Mighty One! From this
day forward I will be a free builder--I too, in my sphere--just as thou
in thine. I will never more build churches for thee--only homes for
human beings.

HILDA.

[With great sparkling eyes.] That was the so