ll this--between us two.

HILDA.

Why, nothing more came of it. You know that quite well. For then the
other guests came in, and then--bah!

SOLNESS.

Quite so! The others came in. To think of my forgetting that too!

HILDA.

Oh, you haven't really forgotten anything: you are only a little ashamed
of it all. I am sure one doesn't forget things of that kind.

SOLNESS.

No, one would suppose not.

HILDA.

[Lively again, looks at him.] Perhaps you have even forgotten what day
it was?

SOLNESS.

What day--?

HILDA.

Yes, on what day did you hang the wreath on the tower? Well? Tell me at
once!

SOLNESS.

H'm--I confess I have forgotten the particular day. I only know it was
ten years ago. Some time in autumn.

HILDA.

[Nods her head slowly several times.] It was ten years ago--on the 19th
of September.

SOLNESS.

Yes, it must have been about that time. Fancy your remembering that too!
[Stops.] But wait a moment--! Yes--it's the 19th of September today.

HILDA.

Yes, it is; and the ten years are gone. And you didn't come--as you had
promised me.

SOLNESS.

Promised you? Threatened, I suppose you mean?

HILDA.

I don't think there was any sort of threat in that.

SOLNESS.

Well then, a little bit of fun.

HILDA.

Was that all you wanted? To make fun of me?

SOLNESS.

Well, or to have a little joke with you. Upon my soul, I don't
recollect. But it must have been something of that kind; for you were a
mere child then.

HILDA.

Oh, perhaps I wasn't quite such a child either. Not such a mere chit as
you imagine.

SOLNESS.

[Looks searchingly at her.] Did you really and seriously expect me to
come again?

HILDA.

[Conceals a half-teasing smile.] Yes, indeed! I did expect that of you.

SOLNESS.

That I should come back to your home, and take you away with me?

HILDA.

Just like a troll--yes.

SOLNESS.

And make a princess of you?

HILDA.

That's what you promised.

SOLNESS.

And give you a kingdom as well?

HILDA.

[Looks up at the ceiling.] Why not? Of course it need not have been an
actual, every-day sort of a kingdom.

SOLNESS.

But something else just as good?

HILDA.

Yes, at least as good. [Looks at him a moment.] I thought, if you could
build the highest church-towers in the world, you could surely manage to
raise a kingdom of one sort or another as well.

SOLNESS.

[Shakes his head