The Master Builder by Henrik Ibsen--Delphi Classics (Illustrated) by Henrik Ibsen

Author:Henrik Ibsen [IBSEN, HENRIK]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Parts Edition 21 of 29 by Delphi Classics
Publisher: Delphi Classics (Parts Edition)
Published: 2017-08-23T00:00:00+00:00

ACT THIRD.

The large broad verandah of SOLNESS’S dwelling-house. Part of the house, with outer door leading to the verandah, is seen to the left. A railing along the verandah to the right. At the back, from the end of the verandah, a flight of steps leads down to the garden below. Tall old trees in the garden spread their branches over the verandah and towards the house. Far to the right, in among the trees, a glimpse is caught of the lower part of the new villa, with scaffolding round so much as is seen of the tower. In the background the garden is bounded by an old wooden fence. Outside the fence, a street with low, tumble-down cottages.

Evening sky with sun-lit clouds.

On the verandah, a garden bench stands along the wall of the house, and in front of the bench a long table. On the other side of the table, an arm-chair and some stools. All the furniture is of wicker-work.

MRS. SOLNESS, wrapped in a large white crepe shawl, sits resting in the arm-chair and gazes over to the right. Shortly after, HILDA WANGEL comes up the flight of steps from the garden. She is dressed as in the last act, and wears her hat. She has in her bodice a little nosegay of small common flowers.

MRS. SOLNESS. [Turning her head a little.] Have you been round the garden, Miss Wangel?

HILDA. Yes, I have been taking a look at it.

MRS. SOLNESS. And found some flowers too, I see.

HILDA. Yes, indeed! There are such heaps of them in among the bushes.

MRS. SOLNESS. Are there, really? Still? You see I scarcely ever go there.

HILDA. [Closer.] What! Don’t you take a run down into the garden every day, then?

MRS. SOLNESS. [With a faint smile.] I don’t “run” anywhere, nowadays.

HILDA. Well, but do you not go down now and then to look at all the lovely things there?

MRS. SOLNESS. It has all become so strange to me. I am almost afraid to see it again.

HILDA. Your own garden!

MRS. SOLNESS. I don’t feel that it is mine any longer.

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.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.