--But then came the night of the fire---
HILDA.
[Excitedly.] What happened? Do tell me! Was any one burnt?
SOLNESS.
No, not that. Every one got safe and sound out of the house---
HILDA.
Well, and what then---?
SOLNESS.
The fright had shaken Aline terribly. The alarm--the escape--the
break-neck hurry--and then the ice-cold night air--for they had to
be carried out just as they lay--both she and the little ones.
HILDA.
Was it too much for them?
SOLNESS.
Oh no, they stood it well enough. But Aline fell into a fever, and
it affected her milk. She would insist on nursing them herself;
because it was her duty, she said. And both our little boys, they--
[Clenching his hands.]--they--oh!
HILDA.
They did not get over that?
SOLNESS.
No, that they did not get over. That was how we lost them.
HILDA.
It must have been terribly hard for you.
SOLNESS.
Hard enough for me; but ten time harder for Aline. [Clenching his
hands in suppressed fury.] Oh, that such things should be allowed
to happen here the world! [Shortly and firmly.] From the day I
lost them, I had no heart for building churches.
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