Mrs. Herdal.
[Evades him.] Was it on my account, indeed, Haustus? You have parted with so many young persons on my account—so you tell me!
Dr. Herdal.
[Depressed.] Oh, but this is hopeless! When I have tried so hard to bring a ray of sunlight into your desolate life! I must give Rübub Kalomel notice too—his pill is really too preposterous!
Mrs. Herdal.
[Feels gropingly for a chair, and sits down on the floor.] Him, too! Ah, Haustus, you will never make my home a real home for me. My poor first husband, Halvard Solness, tried—and he couldn't! When one has had such misfortunes as I have—all the family portraits burnt, and the silk dresses, too, and a pair of twins, and nine lovely dolls.
[Chokes with tears.
Dr. Herdal.
[As if to lead her away from the subject.] Yes, yes, yes, that must have been a heavy blow for you, my poor Aline. I can understand that your spirits can never be really high again. And then for poor Master Builder Solness to be so taken up with that Miss Wangel as he was—that, too, was so wretched for you. To see him topple off the tower, as he did that day ten years ago——
Mrs. Herdal.