ng that I heard through the
air!

SOLNESS.

But afterwards his turn came.

HILDA.

What do you mean by that?

SOLNESS.

[Looks despondently at her.] Building homes for human beings--is not
worth a rap, Hilda.

HILDA.

Do you say that now?

SOLNESS.

Yes, for now I see it. Men have no use for these homes of theirs--to be
happy in. And I should not have had any use for such a home, if I had
had one. [With a quiet, bitter laugh.] See, that is the upshot of
the whole affair, however far back I look. Nothing really built; nor
anything sacrificed for the chance of building. Nothing, nothing! the
whole is nothing!

HILDA.

Then you will never build anything more?

SOLNESS.

[With animation.] On the contrary, I am just going to begin!

HILDA.

What, then? What will you build? Tell me at once!

SOLNESS.

I believe there is only one possible dwelling-place for human
happiness--and that is what I am going to build now.

HILDA.

[Looks fixedly at him.] Mr. Solness--you mean our castles in the air.

SOLNESS.

The castles in the air--yes.

HILDA.

I am afraid you would turn dizzy before we got half-way up.

SOLNESS.

Not if I can mount hand in hand with you, Hilda.

HILDA.

[With an expression of suppressed resentment.] Only with me? Will there
be no others of the party?

SOLNESS.

Who else should there be?

HILDA.

Oh--that girl--that Kaia at the desk. Poor thing--don't you want to take
her with you too?

SOLNESS.

Oho! Was it about her that Aline was talking to you?

HILDA.

Is it so--or is it not?

SOLNESS.

[Vehemently.] I will not answer such a question. You must believe in me,
wholly and entirely!

HILDA.

All these ten years I have believed in you so utterly--so utterly.

SOLNESS.

You must go on believing in me!

HILDA.

Then let me see you stand free and high up!

SOLNESS.

[Sadly.] Oh Hilda--it is not every day that I can do that.

HILDA.

[Passionately.] I will have you do it! I will have it! [Imploringly.]
Just once more, Mr. Solness! Do the impossible once again!

SOLNESS.

[Stands and looks deep into her eyes.] If I try it, Hilda, I will stand
up there and talk to him as I did that time before.

HILDA.

[In rising excitement.] What will you say to him?

SOLNESS.

I will say to him: Hear me, Mighty Lord--thou may'st judge me as seems
best to thee. But hereafter I will build nothing bu