Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/260

 Dr. Herdal.

Oh nonsense! What should make the luck turn?

Solness.

[With firm assurance.] The younger generation.

Dr. Herdal.

Pooh! The younger generation! You are not laid on the shelf yet, I should hope. Oh no—your position here is probably firmer now than it has ever been.

Solness.

The luck will turn. I know it—I feel the day approaching. Some one or other will take it into his head to say: Give me a chance! And then all the rest will come clamouring after him, and shake their fists at me and shout: Make room—make room—make room! Yes, just you see, doctor—presently the younger generation will come knocking at my door

Dr. Herdal.

[Laughing.] Well, and what if they do?

Solness.

What if they do? Then there's an end of Halvard Solness.

[There is a knock at the door on the left.

Solness.

[Starts.] What's that? Did you not hear something?

Dr. Herdal.

Some one is knocking at the door.