Over again, and over again--and over again for ever!
HILDA.
[Rises and looks steadily at him.] Now I can see that you are
thinking of--of her.
SOLNESS.
Yes, mainly of Aline. For Aline--she, too, had her vocation in life,
just as much as I had mine. [His voice quivers.] But her vocation
has had to be stunted, and crushed, and shattered--in order that mine
might force its way to--to a sort of great victory. For you must
know that Aline--she, too, had a talent for building.
HILDA.
She! For building?
SOLNESS.
[Shakes his head.] Not houses and towers, and spires--not such things
as I work away at---
HILDA.
Well, but what then?
SOLNESS.
[Softly, with emotion.] For building up the souls of little children,
Hilda. For building up children's souls in perfect balance, and in
noble and beautiful forms. For enabling them to soar up into erect
and full-grown human souls. That was Aline's talent. And there it
all lies now--unused and unusable for ever--of no earthly service
to any one--just like the ruins left by a fire.
HILDA.
Yes, but even if this were so---?
SOLNESS.
It is so! It is so! I know it!
HILDA.
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