Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/315

 Hilda.

Was there a tower on that house, too?

Solness.

No, nothing of the kind. From the outside it looked like a great, dark, ugly wooden box; but all the same, it was snug and comfortable enough inside.

Hilda.

Then did you pull down the ramshackle old place?

Solness.

No, it was burnt down.

Hilda.

The whole of it?

Solness.

Yes.

Hilda.

Was that a great misfortune for you?

Solness.

That depends on how you look at it. As a builder, the fire was the making of me

Hilda.

Well, but?

SOLNESS.

It was just after the birth of the two little boys

Hilda.

The poor little twins, yes.

Solness.

They came healthy and bonny into the world.