] Peace of soul! [With feeling.] Yes, yes, you are right
in that! Poor Mr. Solness--you fancy that---
SOLNESS.
[With a quiet, chuckling laugh.] Just sit down again, Hilda, and
I'll tell you something funny.
HILDA.
[Sits down; with intent interest.] Well?
SOLNESS.
It sounds such a ludicrous little thing; for, you see, the whole
story turns upon nothing but a crack in the chimney.
HILDA.
No more than that?
SOLNESS.
No, not to begin with.
[He moves a chair nearer to HILDA and sits down.
HILDA.
[Impatiently, taps on her knee.] Well, now for the crack in the
chimney!
SOLNESS.
I had noticed the split in the flue long, long before the fire.
Every time I went up into the attic, I looked to see if it was
still there.
HILDA.
And it was?
SOLNESS.
Yes; for no one else knew about it.
HILDA.
And you said nothing?
SOLNESS.
Nothing.
HILDA.
And did not think of repairing the flue either?
SOLNESS.
Oh yes, I thought about it--but never got any further. Every time
I intended to set to work, it seemed just as if a hand held me back.
Not to-day, I thought--to-morrow; and nothing ever came of it.
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