Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/389

 Hilda.

The impossible?

Solness.

I had never before been able to climb up to a great, free height. But that day I did it.

Hilda.

[Leaping up.] Yes, yes, you did!

SOLNESS.

And when I stood there, high over everything, and was hanging the wreath over the vane, I said to him: Hear me now, thou Mighty One! From this day forward I will be a free builder—I too, in my sphere—just as thou in thine. I will never more build churches for thee—only homes for human beings.

Hilda.

[With great sparkling eyes.] That was the song that I heard through the air!

Solness.

But afterwards his turn came.

Hilda.

What do you mean by that?

Solness.

[Looks despondently at her.] Building homes for human beings—is not worth a rap, Hilda.

Hilda.

Do you say that now?