Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/306

 Mrs. Solness.

Oh yes, certainly. For you have known her so well in the past. Ever since she was a child—you tell me. [She goes out by the door on the left.

Hilda.

[After a little while.] Does your wife dislike me very much?

SOLNESS.

Did you think you noticed anything of the kind?

Hilda.

Did you not notice it yourself?

Solness.

[Evasively.] Aline has become exceedingly shy with strangers of late years.

Hilda.

Has she really?

Solness.

But if only you could get to know her thoroughly! Ah, she is so good—so kind—so excellent a creature

Hilda.

[Impatiently.] But if she is all that—what made her say that about her duty?

Solness.

Her duty?

Hilda.

She said that she would go out and buy something for me, because it was her duty. Oh I can't bear that ugly, horrid word!