on the left, a sofa with a table
and chairs. Further back, a bookcase. Well forward in the
room, before the bay window, a small table and some chairs.
It is early in the day.

SOLNESS sits by the little table with RAGNAR BROVIK'S
portfolio open in front of him. He is turning the drawings
over and closely examining some of them. MRS. SOLNESS moves
about noiselessly with a small watering-pot, attending to her
flowers. She is dressed in black as before. Her hat, cloak
and parasol lie on a chair near the mirror. Unobserved by her,
SOLNESS now and again follows her with his eyes. Neither of
them speaks.

KAIA FOSLI enters quietly by the door on the left.

SOLNESS.

[Turns his head, and says in an off-hand tone of indifference:] Well, is
that you?

KAIA.

I merely wished to let you know that I have come.

SOLNESS.

Yes, yes, that's all right. Hasn't Ragnar come too?

KAIA.

No, not yet. He had to wait a little while to see the doctor. But he is
coming presently to hear--

SOLNESS.

How is the old man to-day?

KAIA.

Not well. He begs you to excuse him; he is obliged to keep his bed
to-day.

SOLNESS.

Why, of course; by all means let him rest. But now, get to your work.

KAIA.

Yes. [Pauses at the door.] Do you wish to speak to Ragnar when he comes?

SOLNESS.

No--I don't know that I have anything particular to say to him.

[KAIA goes out again to the left. SOLNESS remains seated,
turning over the drawings.

MRS. SOLNESS.

[Over beside the plants.] I wonder if he isn't going to die now, as
well?

SOLNESS.

[Looks up at her.] As well as who?

MRS. SOLNESS.

[Without answering.] Yes, yes--depend upon it, Halvard, old Brovik is
going to die too. You'll see that he will.

SOLNESS.

My dear Aline, ought you not to go out for a little walk?

MRS. SOLNESS.

Yes, I suppose I ought to.

[She continues to attend the flowers.

SOLNESS.

[Bending over the drawings.] Is she still asleep?

MRS. SOLNESS.

[Looking at him.] Is it Miss Wangel you are sitting there thinking
about?

SOLNESS.

[Indifferently.] I just happened to recollect her.

MRS. SOLNESS.

Miss Wangle was up long ago.

SOLNESS.

Oh, was she?

MRS. SOLNESS.

When I went in to see her, she was busy putting her things in order.

[She goes in front of the mirror and slowly begins to put on
her hat.

SOLNESS