Solness.

No, not to begin with.

[He moves a chair nearer to Hilda and sits down.

Hilda.

[Impatiently, taps on her knee.] Well, now for the crack in the chimney!

Solness.

I had noticed the split in the flue long, long before the fire. Every time I went up into the attic, I looked to see if it was still there.

Hilda.

And it was?

Solness.