Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/390

 Solness.

Yes, for now I see it. Men have no use for these homes of theirs—to be happy in. And I should not have had any use for such a home, if I had had one. [With a quiet, bitter laugh.] See, that is the upshot of the whole affair, however far back I look. Nothing really built; nor anything sacrificed for the chance of building. Nothing, nothing! the whole is nothing!

Hilda.

Then you will never build anything more?

Solness.

[With animation.] On the contrary; I am just going to begin!

Hilda.

What, then? What will you build? Tell me at once!

Solness.

I believe there is only one possible dwelling-place for human happiness—and that is what I am going to build now.

Hilda.

[Looks fixedly at him.] Mr. Solness—you mean our castles in the air.

Solness.

The castles in the air—yes.

Hilda.

I am afraid you would turn dizzy before we got half-way up.