Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/249

 Solness. Even then—I might almost say—it can make no difference. I must keep Kaia Fosli. No one else could fill her place.

Dr. Herdal. No one else?

Solness. [Curtly.] No, no one.

Dr. Herdal. [Drawing his chair closer.] Now listen to me my dear Mr. Solness. May I ask you a question, quite between ourselves?

Solness. By all means.

Dr. Herdal. Women, you see—in certain matters, they have a deucedly keen intuition

Solness. They have, indeed. There is not the least doubt of that. But?

Dr. Herdal. Well, tell me now—if your wife can't endure this Kaia Fosli?

Solness. Well, what then?

Dr. Herdal. —may she not have just—just the least little bit of reason for this instinctive dislike?

Solness. [Looks at him and rises.] Oho!