Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/328

 Hilda.

Oh yes—with what you call domestic comfort—and that sort of thing.

Solness.

And with my peace of soul into the bargain.

Hilda.

[Rising.] Peace of soul! [With feeling.] Yes, yes, you are right in that! Poor Mr. Solness—you fancy that

Solness.

[With a quiet, chuckling laugh.] Just sit down again, Hilda, and I'll tell you something funny.

Hilda. [Sits down; with intent interest.] Well?

Solness.

It sounds such a ludicrous little thing; for, you see, the whole story turns upon nothing but a crack in a chimney.

Hilda.

No more than that?

Solness.

No, not to begin with.

[He moves a chair nearer to Hilda and sits down.

Hilda.

[Impatiently, taps on her knee.] Well, now for the crack in the chimney!