Very well then. I daresay you recollect that I took Knut Brovik and his son into my employment—after the old man’s business had gone to the dogs.[dogs.]
Dr. Herdal.
Yes, so I have understood.
Solness.
You see, they really are clever fellows, these two. Each of them has talent in his own way. But then the son took it into his head to get engaged; and the next thing, of course, was that he wanted to get married—and begin to build on his own account. That is the way with all these young people.
Dr. Herdal.
[Laughing.] Yes, they have a bad habit of wanting to marry.
Solness.
Just so. But of course that did not suit my plans; for I needed Ragnar myself—and the old man too. He is exceedingly good at calculating bearing-strains and cubic contents—and all that sort of devilry, you know.
Dr. Herdal.