HILDA.
What do you mean---?
MRS. SOLNESS.
No, no, it is not--not as it was in my mother's and father's time.
They have taken away so much--so much of the garden, Miss Wangel.
Fancy--they have parcelled it out--and built houses for strangers--
people that I don't know. And they can sit and look in upon me from
their windows.
HILDA.
[With a bright expression.] Mrs. Solness!
MRS. SOLNESS.
Yes?
HILDA.
May I stay here with you a little?
MRS. SOLNESS.
Yes, by all means, if you care to.
[HILDA moves a stool close to the arm-chair and sits down.
HILDA.
Ah--here one can sit and sun oneself like a cat.
MRS. SOLNESS.
[Lays her hand softly on HILDA'S neck.] It is nice of you to be
willing to sit with me. I thought you wanted to go in to my husband.
HILDA.
What should I want with him?
MRS. SOLNESS.
To help him, I thought.
HILDA.
No, thank you. And besides, he is not in. He is over there with
his workmen. But he looked so fierce that I did not dare to talk
to him.
MRS. SOLNESS.
He is so kind and gentle in reality.
HILDA.
He!
MRS. SOLNESS.
You do not really know him yet, Miss Wangel.
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