The World's Greatest Books [Volumes 1-15, 17-20]

Act I

Scene.—A plainly furnished work-room in the house of Halvard Solness. At the back, visible through an open door, is the draughtsman's office, where sit Knut Brovik and his son, Ragnar, occupied with plans and calculations. At the desk in the outer office Kaia Fosli is writing in the ledger. She is young, slight, and delicate-looking. She wears a green shade over her eyes. All three work for some time in silence.

Knut Brovik (rising as if in distress): No, I can't bear it much longer!

Kaia: You're feeling very ill, aren't you, uncle?

Brovik: Oh, I seem to get worse every day!

Ragnar (advancing): You ought to go home, father.

Brovik: Not till he comes! I'm determined to have it out—with the chief!

Kaia (anxiously): Oh, no, uncle! Wait awhile. Hush! I hear him on the stairs.

[They go back to their work. Halvard Solness, mature, healthy, vigorous, comes in.

Solness: Are they gone?

Kaia: No. [She takes the shade off her eyes.

Solness (approaching her and whispering): Kaia! Why do you always take off that shade when I come?

Kaia: I look so ugly with it on.

Solness (stroking her hair): Poor, poor little Kaia———

Kaia: Hush———

[Brovik comes into the front room.

Brovik: May I have a few words with you?

Solness: Certainly.

[Brovik sends Kaia out.

Brovik: It will soon be all over with me. (Solness places him in an armchair.) Thanks. Well, you see, it's about Ragnar. That weighs most upon me. What's to become of him?

Solness: Your son will stay with me as long as ever he likes. Brovik: But he wants to have a chance. He must do something on his own account.

Solness: Well, but he has learnt nothing, except, of course, to draw.

Brovik: You had learnt little enough when you were with me, and yet you cut me out. Now, how can you have the heart to let me go to my grave without having seen what Ragnar is fit for? And I'm anxious to see him and Kaia married—before I go.

Solness: I can't drag commissions down from the moon for him.

Brovik: He can have the building of that villa at Lövstrand, if you would only approve of his plans, and retire———

Solness (angrily): Retire? I?

Brovik: From the agreement, that is.

Solness: So that's it, is it? Halvard Solness to make room for younger men! Never in the world!

Brovik (rising painfully): Then I'm to die without any certainty, any gleam of happiness or trust in Ragnar?

Solness: You must pass out of life as best you can.

[Brovik reels. Ragnar enters and takes his father home. Solness detains Kaia.

Solness: You want to marry Ragnar.

Kaia: I cared for him once—before I met you. I can't be separated from you———

Solness: Marry him as much as you please. Make him stay here, and then I can keep you, too, my dear Kaia.

Kaia (sinks down before him): Oh, how unspeakably good you are to me!

Solness: Get up! For goodness' sake get up! I think I hear someone.

[Mrs. Solness enters. She is wasted with grief, but has once been beautiful.

Mrs. Solness (with a glance at Kaia): Halvard! I'm afraid I'm disturbing you.

Solness: Not in the least. What is it, Aline?

Mrs. Solness: Merely that Dr. Herdal is in the drawing-room.

Solness: I'll come later on, dear—later on.

[Exit Mrs. Solness.

Kaia: Oh, dear! Oh, dear! I'm sure Mrs. Solness thinks ill of me in some way!

Solness: Oh, not in the least! You'd better go now, all the same, Kaia. And mind you get that matter about Ragnar settled for me. Please give me Ragnar's drawings before you go. I might glance over them.

Kaia (happy): Oh, yes, please do!

[Mrs. Solness and Dr. Herdal enter.

Mrs. Solness: Halvard, I cannot keep the doctor any longer.

Solness: Well, then, come in here.

Kaia: Good-night, Mrs. Solness.

[Kaia goes out.

Mrs. Solness: She must be quite an acquisition to you, Halvard, this Miss Fosli.

Solness: Yes, indeed. She's useful in all sorts of ways.

Mrs. Solness: So it seems.

[Mrs. Solness goes out.

Solness: Tell me, doctor, did you notice anything odd about Aline?

Dr. Herdal (smiling): Well, one couldn't help noticing