Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/380

 Hilda.

He! Oh yes, I am likely to believe that!

Ragnar.

In a certain sense he is cowardly—he, the great master builder. He is not afraid of robbing others of their life's happiness—as he has done both for my father and for me. But when it comes to climbing up a paltry bit of scaffolding—he will do anything rather than that.

Hilda.

Oh, you should just have seen him high, high up—at the dizzy height where I once saw him.

Ragnar.

Did you see that?

Hilda.

Yes, indeed I did. How free and great he looked as he stood and fastened the wreath to the church vane!

Ragnar.

I know that he ventured that, once in his life—one solitary time. It is a legend among us younger men. But no power on earth would induce him to do it again.

Hilda.

To-day he will do it again!

Ragnar.

[Scornfully.] Yes, I daresay!

Hilda.

We shall see it!