Oh no, they stood it well enough. But Aline fell into a fever, and it affected her milk. She would insist on nursing them herself; because it was her duty, she said. And both our little boys, they—[Clenching his hands.]—they—oh!
Hilda.
They did not get over that?
Solness.
No, that they did not get over. That was how we lost them.
Hilda.
It must have been terribly hard for you.
Solness.
Hard enough for me; but ten times harder for Aline. [Clenching his hands in suppressed fury.] Oh, that such things should be allowed to happen here in the world! [Shortly and firmly.] From the day I lost them, I had no heart for building churches.
Hilda.