A lie? [Raging.] Hilda--take those devil's drawings out of my sight!
HILDA.
[Draws the portfolio a little nearer to herself.] Well, well, well
--don't bite me.--You talk of trolls--but I think you go on like a
troll yourself. [Looks round.] Where do you keep your pen and ink?
SOLNESS.
There is nothing of the sort in here.
HILDA.
[Goes towards the door.] But in the office where that young lady
is---
SOLNESS.
Stay where you are, Hilda!--I ought to tell a lie, you say. Oh yes,
for the sake of his old father I might well do that--for in my time
I have crushed him, trodden him under foot---
HILDA.
Him, too?
SOLNESS.
I needed room for myself. But this Ragnar--he must on no account be
allowed to come to the front.
HILDA.
Poor fellow, there is surely no fear of that. If he has nothing in
him---
SOLNESS.
[Comes closer, looks at her, and whispers.] If Ragnar Brovik gets
his chance, he will strike me to the earth. Crush me--as I crushed
his father.
HILDA.
Crush you? Has he the ability for that?
SOLNESS.
Yes, you may depend upon it he has the ability! He is the younger
generation that stands ready to knock at my door--to make an end of
Halvard Solness.
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