Well?

Solness.

Was there not one special thought that you—that you seized upon?

Hilda.

[Reflects in vain.] No. What thought should that be?

Solness.

[With subdued emphasis.] It was simply and solely by that fire that I was enabled to build homes for human beings. Cosy, comfortable, bright homes, where father and mother and the whole troop of children can live in safety and gladness, feeling what a happy thing it is to be alive in the world—and most of all to belong to each other—in great things and in small.

Hilda.

[Ardently.] Well, and is it not a great happiness for you to be able to build such beautiful homes?

Solness.