[RAGNAR _enters, and begs a few kind words about his drawings to cheer his father, who is dying_. SOLNESS _dismisses him almost brutally, and bids him never think of building on his own account_. HILDA (_when_ RAGNAR _has gone_): That was horribly ugly--and hard and bad and cruel as well. SOLNESS: Oh, you don't understand my position, which I've paid so dear for. _(Confidentially)_ Hilda, don't you agree with me that there exists special chosen people, who have the power of desiring, _craving_ a thing, until at last it _has_ to happen? And aren't there helpers and servers who must do their part too? But they never come of themselves. One has to call them very persistently, inwardly. So the fire happened conveniently for me; but the two little boys and Aline were sacrificed. She will never be the woman she longed to be. HILDA: I believe you have a sickly conscience. I should like your conscience to be thoroughly robust. SOLNESS: Is _yours_ robust? HILDA: I think it is. SOLNESS: I think the Vikings had robust consciences. And the women they used to carry off had robust consciences, too. They often wouldn't leave their captors on any account. HILDA: These women I can understand exceedingly well. SOLNESS: Could you come to love a man like that? HILDA: One can't choose whom one's going to love. SOLNESS: Hilda, there's something of the bird of prey in you! HILDA: And why not? Why shouldn't I go a-hunting as well as the rest? Tell me, Mr. Solness, have you never called me to you--inwardly, you know? SOLNESS _(softly)_: I almost think I must have. HILDA: What did you want with me? SOLNESS: You are the younger generation, Hilda. HILDA: Which you fear so much---- SOLNESS: Towards which, in my heart, I yearn so deeply. [_In the next scene_ HILDA _compels_ SOLNESS _to write a few kind words on_ RAGNAR'S _drawings, and send them to_ BROVIK. _He entrusts the portfolio to_ KAIA, _and thereupon dismisses her and_ RAGNAR _from his service._ MRS. SOLNESS _re-enters._ MRS. SOLNESS: Are you really dismissing them, Halvard? SOLNESS: Yes. MRS. SOLNESS: Her as well? SOLNESS: Wasn't that what you wished? MRS. SOLNESS: But how can you get on without _her_----? Oh, no doubt you've someone else in reserve, Halvard. HILDA _(playfully)_: Well, _I_ for one am not the person to stand at that desk. SOLNESS: Never mind, never mind. It'll be all right, Aline. Now for moving into our new home--as quickly as we can. This evening we'll hang up the wreath--right on the pinnacle of the tower. What do you say to that, Hilda?