Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/252

 Dr. Herdal.

[Laughing.] Yes, they have a bad habit of wanting to marry.

Solness.

Just so. But of course that did not suit my plans; for I needed Ragnar myself—and the old man too. He is exceedingly good at calculating bearing-strains and cubic contents—and all that sort of devilry, you know.

Dr. Herdal.

Oh yes, no doubt that's indispensable.

Solness.

Yes, it is. But Ragnar was absolutely bent on setting to work for himself. He would hear of nothing else.

Dr. Herdal.

But he has stayed with you all the same.

Solness.

Yes, I'll tell you how that came about. One day this girl, Kaia Fosli, came to see them on some errand or other. She had never been here before. And when I saw how utterly infatuated they were with each other, the thought occurred to me: if I could only get her into the office here, then perhaps Ragnar too would stay where he is.

Dr. Herdal.

That was not at all a bad idea.

Solness.

Yes, but at the time I did not breathe a word of what was in my mind. I merely stood and