Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/317

 was her duty, she said. And both our little boys, they—[Clenching his hands.]—they—oh!

Hilda.

They did not get over that?

Solness.

No, that they did not get over. That was how we lost them.

Hilda.

It must have been terribly hard for you.

SOLNESS.

Hard enough for me; but ten times harder for Aline. [Clenching his hands in suppressed fury.] Oh, that such things should be allowed to happen here in the world! [Shortly and firmly.] From the day I lost them, I had no heart for building churches.

Hilda.

Did you not like building the church-tower in our town?

Solness.

I didn't like it. I know how free and happy I felt when that tower was finished.

Hilda.

I know that, too.

SOLNESS.

And now I shall never—never build anything of that sort again! Neither churches nor church-towers.

Hilda.

[Nods slowly.] Nothing but houses for people to live in.