Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/344

 Hilda.

[Lays the portfolio on the sofa-table.] Very well. Now let us two sit down here, Mr. Solness. [Solness seats himself at the table. Hilda stands behind him, leaning over the back of the chair.] And now we will write on the drawings. We must write very, very nicely and cordially—for this horrid Ruar—or whatever his name is.

Solness.

[Writes a few words, turns his head and looks at her.] Tell me one thing, Hilda.

Hilda.

Yes!

Solness.

If you have been waiting for me all these ten years

Hilda.

What then?

Solness.

Why have you never written to me? Then I could have answered you.

Hilda.

[Hastily.] No, no, no! That was just what I did not want.

Solness.

Why not?

Hilda.

I was afraid the whole thing might fall to pieces.—But we were going to write on the drawings, Mr. Solness.