The Master Builder Part 73

That neither you nor I will see.

HILDA.

[With uncontrollable vehemence.] I will se it! I will and I must see it!

RAGNAR.

But he will not do it. He simply dare not do it. For you see he cannot get over this infirmity--master builder though he be.

MRS. SOLNESS comes from the house on to the verandah.

MRS. SOLNESS.

[Looks around.] Is he not here? Where has he gone to?

RAGNAR.

Mr. Solness is down with the men.

HILDA.

He took the wreath with him.

MRS. SOLNESS.

[Terrified.] Took the wreath with him! Oh G.o.d! oh G.o.d! Brovik--you must go down to him! Get him to come back here!

RAGNAR.

Shall I say you want to speak to him, Mrs. Solness?

MRS. SOLNESS.

Oh yes, do!--No, no--don't say that _I_ want anything! You can say that somebody is here, and that he must come at once.

RAGNAR.

Good. I will do so, Mrs. Solness.

[He goes down the flight of steps and away through the garden.

MRS. SOLNESS.

Oh, Miss w.a.n.gel, you can't think how anxious I feel about him.

HILDA.

Is there anything in this to be terribly frightened about?

MRS. SOLNESS.

Oh yes; surely you can understand. Just think, if he were really to do it! If he should take it into his head to climb up the scaffolding!

HILDA.

[Eagerly.] Do you think he will?

MRS. SOLNESS.

Oh, one can never tell what he might take into his head. I am afraid there is nothing he mightn't think of doing.

HILDA.

Aha! Perhaps you too think he is--well--?

MRS. SOLNESS.

Oh, I don't know what to think about him now. The doctor has been telling me all sorts of things; and putting it all together with several things I have heard him say--

DR. HERDAL looks out, at the door.

DR. HERDAL.

Is he not coming soon?

MRS. SOLNESS.

Yes, I think so. I have sent for him at any rate.