The Master Builder Part 9

KAIA.

[Softly.] Oh dear, oh dear--I am sure Mrs. Solness thinks ill of me in some way!

SOLNESS.

Oh, not in the least. Not more than usual at any rate. But all the same, you had better go now, Kaia.

KAIA.

Yes, yes, now I must go.

SOLNESS.

[Severely.] And mind you get that matter settled for me. Do you hear?

KAIA.

Oh, if it only depended on me--

SOLNESS.

I will have it settled, I say! And to-morrow too--not a day later!

KAIA.

[Terrified.] If there's nothing else for it, I am quite willing to break off the engagement.

SOLNESS.

[Angrily.] Break it off. Are you mad? Would you think of breaking it off?

KAIA.

[Distracted.] Yes, if necessary. For I must--I must stay here with you!

I can't leave you! That is utterly--utterly impossible!

SOLNESS.

[With a sudden outburst.] But deuce take it--how about Ragnar then! It's Ragnar that I--

KAIA.

[Looks at him with terrified eyes.] It is chiefly on Ragnar's account, that--that you--?

SOLNESS.

[Collecting himself.] No, no, of course not! You don't understand me either. [Gently and softly.] Of course it is you I want to keep.--you above everything, Kaia. But for that very reason, you must prevent Ragnar, too, from throwing up his situation. There, there,--now go home.

KAIA.

Yes, yes--good-night, then.

SOLNESS.

Good night. [As she is going.] Oh, stop a moment! Are Ragnar's drawings in there?

KAIA.

I did not see him take them with him.

SOLNESS.

Then just go and find them for me. I might perhaps glance over them, after all.

KAIA.

[Happy.] Oh yes, please do!

SOLNESS.

For your sake, Kaia dear. Now, let me have them at once, please.

[KAIA hurries into the draughtsmen's office, searches anxiously in the table-drawer, finds a portfolio and brings it with her.

KAIA.

Here are all the drawings.

SOLNESS.